iPhone 17 Has Once Again Been the Worlds Best Selling Smartphone Report

iPhone 17 has once again been the world’s best-selling smartphone, according to the global smartphone sales ranking released by Counterpoint Research.

The standard model of the iPhone 17 has retained its position as the world’s bestselling smartphone, capturing 6% of global smartphone sales in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Apple’s premium smartphones, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro, have respectively ranked second and third best-selling smartphones globally.

The latest global smartphone sales ranking underlines Apple’s strong position on the global smartphone market, particularly in the premium smartphone category.

Apple Secures Top Three Positions in Global Smartphone Ranking

Apple’s strong position in the global smartphone market was particularly palpable in the latest global smartphone ranking, as its smartphones secured the top three positions.

iPhone 17 came out as the world’s best-selling smartphone, followed by the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.

This means that Apple’s smartphones swept the global smartphone sales rankings in Q2 2026. Counterpoint Research notes that Apple’s unit sales grew by 5% year-over-year in Q2 2026, despite a significant global smartphone market decline during the quarter.

iPhone 17 Dominates Global Smartphone Sales Rankings

One of the key factors which drove the demand for the iPhone 17 was that the standard model offers several upgrades compared to the previous generation, as well as being significantly less expensive than the Pro Max and Pro models.

Furthermore, Counterpoint Research notes that iPhone 17 sales were particularly strong across several key markets, including India, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa region. Counterpoint Research also reports that Apple’s smartphone sales in South Korea nearly doubled year-over-year due to the demand for the iPhone 17.

iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Retain Strong Demand

The popularity of Apple’s flagship smartphones is also palpable, as iPhone 17 Pro Max ranked second in the global smartphone sales ranking, while the iPhone 17 Pro took third. Trade-ins, promotions, and installment plans available at Apple also significantly contributed to the demand for the premium iPhone models. In addition, rising smartphone prices across the industry also drove demand for higher-end handsets, such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple and Samsung Are Represented in the Top Ten Global Smartphones

The top ten global smartphones are represented by two smartphone manufacturers – Apple and Samsung. Specifically, Counterpoint Research reports that Apple and Samsung’s combined top smartphones accounted for 26% of global smartphone sales, achieving the highest representation for any June quarter. Samsung secured five positions in the top ten list, while Apple’s smartphones also secured five positions. The five best-selling Apple smartphones are: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 16. Galaxy S26 Ultra was Samsung’s best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Is the Best-Selling Android Smartphone

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra was the best-selling Android smartphone in Q2 2026, ranking fourth in the global smartphone sales ranking. Counterpoint Research notes that the Galaxy S26 Ultra marked the first time that an ultra-premium Samsung smartphone was the best-selling Android smartphone in a June quarter.

Samsung’s Galaxy A series remained a popular choice among budget-conscious smartphone buyers due to its compelling value offer, wide distribution, and extended software support.

iPhone 17 Is One of the Most Popular Smartphones in India

India has become one of the most important markets for Apple, which is why Counterpoint Research released a separate analysis of smartphone sales in India. In particular, the iPhone 17 5G has been a best-selling smartphone model in India, ranking seventh with 3% of market share in Q2 2026. The OPPO A6X 5G was the bestselling smartphone in India in Q2 2026 with 4% of market share. In addition to the iPhone 17 5G, iPhone 16 is also among the five best-selling smartphones in India.

iPhone 17 Sales Surge Despite Global Smartphone Market Challenges

The strong sales of iPhone 17 came as the global smartphone market declined year-over-year in Q2 2026. Smartphone manufacturers faced significant supply chain pressures, as semiconductor prices continued to rise, while RAM shortages impacted the supply of several critical components. Counterpoint Research notes that smartphone manufacturers are shifting towards a more focused product strategy, as the smartphone market consolidates around fewer devices. As a result, the top ten smartphones accounted for 26% of global smartphone sales in Q2 2026.

Apple and Samsung were able to benefit from the trend, as both companies were able to leverage their strong smartphone franchises and extensive global distribution networks to promote their flagship products.

Top Ten Best-Selling Smartphones in Q2 2026

Based on Counterpoint Research, the following smartphones secured positions in the global top ten best-selling smartphone ranking:

Position Smartphone

• 1 Apple iPhone 17
• 2 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
• 3 Apple iPhone 17 Pro
• 4 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
• 5 Samsung Galaxy A07 4G
• 6 Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
• 7 Apple iPhone 17e
• 8 Samsung Galaxy A17 4G
• 9 Samsung Galaxy S26 5G
• 10 Apple iPhone 16

iPhone 17 Sales Are Proving to Be Good for Apple

iPhone 17 has once again been the world’s best-selling smartphone, which is a testament to the popularity of Apple’s smartphone products. The company has demonstrated a strong ability to balance flagship product sales while also ensuring that its mainstream model, the iPhone 17, is capable of competing with its more expensive Pro and Pro Max counterparts. Upgrades to the standard iPhone 17, coupled with Apple’s brand strength, premium positioning, trade-in programs, and financing options, have been particularly instrumental in driving sales of the mainstream iPhone model.

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is yet another fierce competition between Apple and Samsung for the title of the best-selling smartphone. While the iPhone 17 ranked first in the global smartphone sales ranking, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra became the best-selling Android smartphone in Q2 2026. This places Apple and Samsung in direct competition with each other, as both companies’ smartphones dominate the global smartphone sales rankings. Samsung has managed to grab the top spot in the Android smartphone segment, while Apple continues to lead the pack in terms of overall smartphone sales.

iPhone 17 Has Been the World’s Best-Selling Smartphone Consecutively for Two Quarters

It is worth noting that the success of the iPhone 17 is not limited to the current quarter, as it has also been the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026. Furthermore, Apple’s premium iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro ranked second and third best-selling smartphones globally in the first quarter of 2026. Retaining the position of the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026 highlights the popularity of the iPhone 17 and Apple’s overall strong sales performance.