In a significant shift in the smartphone sales landscape, Apple’s iPhone 17 emerged as the best-selling phone worldwide in the second quarter of 2026, followed closely by the iPhone 17 Pro Max in second place and the iPhone 17 Pro in third. This data comes from Counterpoint Research's latest market-share report, which highlights the changing dynamics of premium and affordable smartphone sales.
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An important development in this quarter's sales was Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, which became the best-selling Android phone, ranking fourth overall among all smartphones sold globally. Priced around $1,300, the S26 Ultra's strong performance is notable given that affordable Android devices usually dominate sales charts due to their lower price points and greater accessibility.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra marked a pivotal moment as the first “ultra-premium” Android phone to lead sales in the second quarter. This accomplishment reflects a significant improvement over the previous year, where the Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked ninth, and the Galaxy S25 did not feature in the top ten.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra and the standard Galaxy S26, which ranked ninth, benefitted from the company's decision to launch the Galaxy S26 lineup on February 25, 2026, later than its usual schedule. According to Counterpoint Research senior analyst Harshit Rastogi, this timing allowed for a larger portion of sales to spill into the second quarter, bolstering its position in the market.
Despite this rise, budget Android phones remain essential to the market, particularly in developing regions where affordability is critical. However, Samsung's diverse lineup intriguingly blends high-end and budget options, with three Galaxy A-series models also making the top ten: Galaxy A07 4G in fifth, Galaxy A17 5G in sixth, and Galaxy A17 4G in eighth.
Every Samsung model in the top 10 promises at least six years of software updates, a commitment increasingly valued by consumers who expect longevity from their devices. This strategy may enhance Samsung's appeal across varied market segments.
While Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra achieved notable success in the premium segment, Apple maintained dominance in overall sales, with four devices in the top ten, including the iPhone 16, which secured the tenth position. This data underscores the competitive nature of the smartphone market as Samsung seeks to replicate the S26 Ultra's success in future quarters.