Figures for the second quarter of 2026 show that the iPhone 17 is once more the biggest selling smartphone around the globe, and that Apple takes the next two spots as well.
According to previous figures from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026. But that was predicted, since in the months after launch, the trend in iPhone sales is to see an increase in the non-Pro models.
Now the research firm says that the iPhone 17 has continued to be as successful. For Q2 2026, it again took the lead in a top ten of smartphone models by sales.
"Apple's unit sales grew 5% YoY despite a broader market decline," said Senior Analyst Karn Chauhan. "iPhone sales increased across India, Japan, and the MEA, and nearly doubled in South Korea in Q2 2026, driven by the iPhone 17 series."
Counterpoint puts the continued demand for the iPhone 17 down to how it was a significant upgrade on the previous model. Specifically, Apple narrowed the difference between the regular and Pro models with the iPhone 17 range.
Speaking of the range, the number two biggest-selling smartphone in the quarter was the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Third was the iPhone 17 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra came in fourth.
Apple wasn't done with the top ten though, as the iPhone 17e took seventh place. And the iPhone 16 took tenth, meaning that iPhones made up half of the top ten.
This is exactly what happened in the same period in 2025. Apple took first, second, third, seventh, and tenth place, with its iPhone 16 range and the iPhone 15.
For 2026, the global chip shortage has reportedly led to manufacturers concentrating on premium phones. While Apple and Samsung both showed increases, overall the global smartphone market contracted by 11%.
This global pattern of Apple's share going up even as the market goes down, matches recent results from individual territories.
Apple's strong showing in the top ten chart is also reflected in its earnings. Reportedly, despite accounting for 23% of global shipments, Apple captured 49% of worldwide smartphone revenues, according to Counterpoint.
