A report on smartphone sales for the first quarter of 2026 reveals that the iPhone 17 held the number one position and ranked among the top three, while Samsung had five models in the top 10, but its flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra was absent.
Counterpoint Research, a market research firm specializing in the technology industry, disclosed that the first quarter of 2026 was a booming period for the iPhone. Apple’s smartphones dominated the top three sales rankings, led by the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro.
Notably, the iPhone 17 alone captured as much as 6 percent of the market share. This quarter was marked by the highest concentration of sales among popular models ever recorded, with the top 10 smartphone models collectively accounting for 25 percent of total global sales.
The key factors behind the iPhone 17’s tremendous success include upgraded specifications such as storage capacity, camera quality, display, and pricing. Major markets like the United States, China, and South Korea showed strong positive responses, with growth reachingthree timeseven in Samsung’s home market.
Meanwhile, the iPhone Air did not appear on the list according to Counterpoint Research’s report.
On the Samsung side, the company saw strong sales from mid-range models such as those in the Galaxy S Series, with five models making the top 10. However, the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra did not rank in the top 10, despite initial sales outperforming the previous Galaxy S25 Ultra model.
Source:Counterpoint Research