Apple’s iPhone 17 became the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1 this year, according to Counterpoint data. It captured 6% of total global smartphone sales during the quarter. The base model clearly led Apple’s series. It also widened its gap over the Pro models compared to last year. In Q1 2025, the Pro variants were much closer in performance. This year, the situation shifted in favor of the standard iPhone 17.
The premium models still performed strongly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro followed right behind it in the global rankings. Together, Apple again secured the top three positions with its latest series. The older iPhone 16 also remained relevant in the market. It still held the sixth position, showing continued demand even after newer launches.
On the Android side, Samsung led with a surprise. The Galaxy A07 4G became the best-selling Android phone in the first three months of 2026. It performed well in emerging markets, especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Despite the global push toward 5G, a 4G device still topped Android sales. This highlights strong price sensitivity in many regions. Samsung also placed another LTE model in the list, the Galaxy A17 4G. Both devices come with support for six major OS updates. That long software promise improves their long-term value. However, their older modem technology may become a limitation by 2031.
The 5G version of the Galaxy A17 performed even better than the 4G variant. It ranked higher in the overall chart, showing growing demand for faster networks where available.
Samsung’s mid-range strength was further supported by the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36. These models ranked seventh and eighth. They continue to emphasize the importance of the A50 and A30 series in global sales.
One notable absence was the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The previous generation, the S25 Ultra, was the only Android flagship in last year’s list. However, its absence this time is not unusual.
Counterpoint noted that the Galaxy S26 Ultra narrowly missed the Top 10. It launched later in March 2026 compared to February 2025. As a result, it only had a limited time in Q1 sales.
Xiaomi also secured a spot in the Top 10. The Redmi A5 made the list as a budget Android Go device. It remains one of the cheapest smartphones in its category. Like Samsung’s entry-level models, it relies on 4G connectivity. It also performed strongly in price-sensitive regions, especially emerging markets.
A senior analyst at Counterpoint explained the iPhone 17’s performance. He said, “iPhone 17 continues to outperform its predecessor owing to key upgrades like higher base storage, camera resolution, and display refresh rate, bringing the smartphone closer to the Pro variants and providing overall value for a larger market.”
The smartphone registered double-digit YoY growth in key markets like China and the US and 3x in South Korea for the quarter. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro captured the following two spots, offering even more advanced capabilities across camera, battery, and new color, material, and finish.
