Apple’s iPhone 17 captured 6% of global smartphone sales, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro secured second and third place.
Apple’s iPhone 17 has retained its position as the world’s best-selling smartphone, topping global sales rankings for the second consecutive quarter in 2026.
According to Counterpoint Research’s latest data, the base iPhone 17 accounted for 6% of global smartphone unit sales during the second quarter of 2026. The result follows the device’s strong performance in the first quarter, when it also led the global smartphone market.
Apple dominated the upper end of the rankings, securing six positions among the global top 10 smartphones. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro claimed second and third place respectively, while the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16 also featured among the best-selling devices.
Samsung remained the strongest Android competitor, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra emerging as the highest-selling Android smartphone during the quarter. The South Korean company also placed four other devices in the top 10, including the Galaxy A07 4G, Galaxy A17 5G, Galaxy A17 4G and Galaxy S26.
The latest figures highlight Apple’s continued strength across several international markets. Counterpoint reported increased iPhone sales in India, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa, while sales in South Korea nearly doubled compared with the previous period.
Despite the broader market slowdown, Apple and Samsung strengthened their combined position. The two companies collectively accounted for 26% of global smartphone unit sales in Q2 2026, representing a two-percentage-point increase from the same quarter last year.
However, the overall smartphone market faced significant pressure during the quarter, with global smartphone sales declining by 11% year-on-year. Against this backdrop, the continued strong performance of Apple’s latest iPhone lineup and Samsung’s flagship and budget models demonstrates the growing concentration of sales among major smartphone brands.
The iPhone 17’s continued leadership also underscores Apple’s ability to maintain strong demand for its mainstream flagship model, despite competition from Samsung and other Android manufacturers.