Archive · 27 Aug 2026
iPhone 17 Leads Global Phone Sales Ahead of iPhone 18
The regular iPhone 17 was the most popular smartphone in the world during the second quarter of 2026.
It sold more units than any other single phone model.
Two more Apple phones, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro, ranked behind it.
Apple and Samsung each had five phones among the top 10.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra was the best-selling Android phone.
Apple’s phone shipments increased even though the overall smartphone market became smaller.
The iPhone 17 may have appealed to people because it offered more features without the higher price of a Pro model.
This success gives Apple a strong position before the expected iPhone 18 launch.
The standard iPhone 17 captured 6% of global smartphone unit sales in Q2 2026.
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro ranked second and third worldwide.
Apple and Samsung each placed five models in the global top 10.
Apple’s unit shipments rose 5% year over year despite an 11% overall market decline.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra led Android sales, while the top 10 models captured 26% of global smartphone sales.
- Who
- Apple led the rankings, while Samsung was the other major company represented in the top 10.
- What
- The iPhone 17 became the world’s best-selling smartphone model in Q2 2026, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro ranking second and third.
- When
- The results cover the second quarter of 2026, shortly before the anticipated iPhone 18 series launch.
- Where
- Worldwide, with Apple’s growth specifically noted in India and Japan.
- Why
- Apple’s unit shipments benefited from growth in India and Japan, while the standard iPhone 17’s upgraded features and smaller price gap with Pro models may have supported demand.
- Top-selling model
- Apple iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 global share
- 6% of smartphone units sold in Q2 2026
- Apple’s top-three models
- iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro
- Apple and Samsung top-10 presence
- Five models each
- Apple unit shipments
- Up 5% year over year
- Overall smartphone market
- Down 11% year over year
- Top-10 market share
- The 10 leading models accounted for 26% of global smartphone sales
- Best-selling Android model
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra