Apple’s iPhone 17 remained the world’s best-selling smartphone in the second quarter of 2026, holding on to the top position it achieved during the first quarter of the year.
According to Counterpoint Research, the standard iPhone 17 captured 6 percent of global smartphone unit sales between April and June 2026. The result highlights continued consumer demand for Apple’s latest smartphone lineup.
The performance also shows the strength of the base iPhone 17 model compared with competing devices in the global market. Despite intense competition among major smartphone manufacturers, the device managed to secure the leading position for a second consecutive quarter.
Apple’s dominance extended beyond the number one spot. Five Apple smartphones featured among the global top 10 best-selling smartphones during the quarter, giving the company half of the positions on the list.
Samsung matched Apple’s presence in the rankings, with five of its smartphones also appearing among the top 10. The results show that Apple and Samsung continued to dominate global smartphone sales during the April-June period.
The strong performance of the iPhone 17 is notable because the global smartphone market includes a wide range of devices across different price categories. Apple’s ability to place its flagship lineup at the top of unit sales demonstrates the brand’s continued influence in major smartphone markets.
The 6 percent share recorded by the base iPhone 17 means that the model alone accounted for a significant portion of global smartphone units sold during the second quarter. The figure also helped Apple maintain its position ahead of other leading smartphone manufacturers.
Samsung’s five entries in the top 10 indicate that the South Korean technology giant remained Apple’s strongest competitor in the rankings. With both companies accounting for all 10 positions, other smartphone brands were unable to secure a place in the reported top 10.
The Q2 2026 rankings also provide insight into consumer preferences in the global smartphone industry. While manufacturers continue to introduce new models with updated cameras, processors, displays and artificial intelligence features, a relatively small number of devices continue to attract a large share of worldwide sales.
For Apple, retaining the number one position for two consecutive quarters provides further evidence of strong demand for the iPhone 17. The company’s five-device presence in the top 10 also points to broad performance across its smartphone range.
The findings from Counterpoint Research are particularly relevant for the technology industry because smartphone sales rankings provide an indication of which models are attracting the most consumers worldwide.
As the smartphone market moves into the second half of 2026, manufacturers will continue competing for market share through new devices, pricing strategies and technology upgrades. Apple and Samsung are expected to remain key players in that competition.
The latest ranking confirms that the iPhone 17 has maintained its strong position in the global market. With a 6 percent share of smartphone unit sales in Q2 2026, the base model remained ahead of its competitors and helped Apple retain the top spot.
The equal presence of Apple and Samsung in the top 10 further underlines the intense competition between the two companies. Each manufacturer placed five smartphones on the list, leaving no room for other brands among the leading 10 models.
