Apple's iPhone 17 lineup dominated global smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from Counterpoint Research. The base model alone captured a six percent share of total shipments during that period. Apple secured the top three positions across its entire iPhone 17 family in the worldwide rankings.
Apple secures top three global smartphone spots as base model captures six percent of shipments
The standard iPhone 17 now features a 48-megapixel camera system and a 120Hz ProMotion display. It also includes 256GB of internal storage as a baseline upgrade from previous generations. These hardware changes appear to have contributed significantly to its strong market performance during the early months of the year.
Samsung's Galaxy A-series devices captured five spots within the global top ten, led by the Galaxy A07 4G model. Meanwhile, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra failed to break into the top ten despite reporting solid initial demand figures. The top ten smartphones collectively accounted for twenty-five percent of all global shipments in the first quarter.
Counterpoint Research compiled sales data across multiple major markets including China, the United States, South Korea, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Apple maintained its position as a dominant force in the premium smartphone segment by leveraging hardware upgrades on its base model. Samsung continues to rely heavily on its mid-range A-series lineup for volume sales while flagship models face increasing competition.
Source: GIZMOCHINA
