GoKawiilIn a report published today, Counterpoint Research says Apple once again secured five spots among the world’s 10 best-selling smartphones during the second quarter of 2026. Here are the details.
MagSafe and higher storage help push iPhone 17e into top 10
Over the past several months, there has been no shortage of reports pointing to the success of the iPhone 17 line, particularly as most of Apple’s closest competitors raised prices due to the ongoing component shortage.
Just days ago, Counterpoint published three reports showing that Apple bucked a broader downward trend across several regions, posting growth in both shipments and sales.
Today, the firm published a new report claiming that the iPhone 17 was the world’s best-selling smartphone during Q2 2026, accounting for 6% of global smartphone unit sales.
Apple also secured the second and third spots with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro, respectively, while the iPhone 17e ranked seventh and the iPhone 16 came in tenth. The latter had topped the year-ago ranking with a 4% share.
Samsung was the only other manufacturer to make the top 10, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G in fourth, followed by the Galaxy A07 4G in fifth, the Galaxy A17 5G in sixth, the Galaxy A17 4G in eighth, and the Galaxy S26 5G in ninth.
Counterpoint also said that the top 10 best-selling smartphones contributed to 26% of overall sales, up 2% year-over-year.
Here’s Counterpoint Research’s Senior Analyst Karn Chauhan on Apple’s performance for the quarter:
Apple’s unit sales grew 5% YoY despite a broader market decline. iPhone sales increased across India, Japan, and the MEA, and nearly doubled in South Korea in Q2 2026, driven by the iPhone 17 series. The base iPhone 17 model remained the best-selling smartphone during the quarter, supported by significant upgrades that narrowed the gap with the Pro models. Meanwhile, strong premium demand drove the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sales, aided by trade-in programs, promotions, and accessible financing options that improved affordability. Rising smartphone prices also pushed consumers towards the higher-end segments, further strengthening Apple’s competitive position.
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