iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S26 Ultra, Redmi A5, More: Here Are the Top 10 Best Selling Smartphones in Q1 2026

The global smartphone market became increasingly premium-focused in Q1 2026, according to a new report from Counterpoint Research. Apple dominated the quarter with the iPhone 17 series taking the top three spots in worldwide smartphone sales rankings. At the same time, Samsung continued to lead the Android budget segment through its Galaxy A lineup.

The report also highlights broader market challenges, including rising component costs caused by a memory chip shortage and slowing demand for affordable smartphones. As a result, many brands are now shifting focus toward premium devices to maintain profitability in an increasingly competitive market.

iPhone 17 Leads Global Smartphone Sales

Counterpoint Research revealed that the iPhone 17 was the world's best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026, accounting for 6% of total global smartphone sales. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro followed in second and third place, giving Apple complete control of the top three rankings.

Senior analyst Harshit Rastogi said the standard iPhone 17 performed much better than its predecessor due to meaningful upgrades. Apple reportedly improved the base model with more storage, a higher-resolution camera, and a faster refresh rate display. These changes narrowed the gap between the regular and Pro variants, making the standard model more attractive to buyers.

The iPhone 17 series also recorded strong regional growth, with double-digit sales increases in China and the US. South Korea saw the biggest jump, where sales reportedly tripled compared to the previous generation.

Samsung Dominates the Budget Android Segment

Samsung secured five spots in the global top ten smartphone list, all belonging to its Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A07 4G became the best-selling Android smartphone of the quarter, driven by strong demand in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The company has also boosted the appeal of its affordable phones by promising six years of software updates. However, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra failed to enter the top ten despite reportedly opening stronger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Xiaomi Secures One Spot in the Top 10

Xiaomi was the only Chinese brand to make the list, with the Redmi A5 ranking tenth globally. The device remains one of the most affordable smartphones in the rankings and continues to see stable demand in emerging markets.

Counterpoint says the top ten smartphones accounted for 25% of all global smartphone sales in Q1 2026, the highest ever for a first quarter. Strong iPhone 17 demand and rising component costs are reshaping the industry, with brands increasingly prioritizing premium smartphones over low-cost volume sales.