iPhone 17 Remains World's Best Selling Smartphone

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 17 retained its position as the world's best selling smartphone in the second quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro holding the next two spots on the firm's quarterly ranking.

Data from Counterpoint's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker places the standard iPhone 17 at 6% of global smartphone unit sales for the second quarter, building on the top spot it already held in the first quarter. Apple and Samsung filled all ten of the top spots, with a combined 26% share of worldwide unit sales that was two points higher than a year earlier.

Counterpoint tied the growth to regional strength outside Apple's usual core markets, with gains in India, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa, plus a near doubling of sales in South Korea.

The base iPhone 17 model remained the best selling smartphone during the quarter, supported by significant upgrades that narrowed the gap with the Pro models. Meanwhile, strong premium demand drove the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sales, aided by trade in programs, promotions, and accessible financing options that improved affordability.

Rising smartphone prices across the industry also nudged buyers toward more expensive pricing tiers generally, which largely worked in Apple's favor given its lineup skews upmarket already.

The iPhone 17e took seventh place following its refresh that added MagSafe and increased storage for the same price, boosted by compelling carrier deals in the U.S. and Japan. The iPhone 16 rounded out the list at number ten, leaving Apple with five of the ten slots, which is the same count and nearly the same positions Apple held a year earlier with the iPhone 16 lineup and iPhone 15.

Samsung's best performer was the Galaxy S26 Ultra in fourth place, which is the first time that Samsung's top tier device has outsold every other Android phone in the second quarter. This is said to partly be a reflection of Samsung steering more marketing spend toward its flagship models to protect margins as costs climb. Samsung's cheaper Galaxy A phones also remained competitive further down the market.

Overall, the smartphone market shrank 11% in the quarter, a contraction Counterpoint links to the ongoing shortages and price rises that has manufacturers concentrating resources on their most profitable phones. Apple and Samsung both grew unit sales against that backdrop, a divergence that is visible in Counterpoint's regional data as well.


Article Link: iPhone 17 Remains World's Best Selling Smartphone

 

[ghostface147]

I dig my 17 PM. Great camera for what it is and really good for video content.

 

[svish]

I love my 17 Pro Max. Great iPhone and love the orange color too. The base 17 too is a fantastic iPhone. Double the storage compared to the 16, ProMotion and better camera than the 16. It should continue to sell well in the coming months. Don't know whether Apple will increase its price once the new iPhones are launched. Think the base 17 will be enough for most users unless they want the telephoto lens and bigger screen(Pro Max). Cannot go wrong in purchasing iPhone 17. Think it is the best base model iPhone over the past few years.

 

[vegetassj4]

And here I thought the Freedom Phone would have been the runaway favorite

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I think it’s interesting that Samsung’s $1300 smart phone is performing significantly better this year than their $500 smart phones, which are usually the ones on top.
Promising signs for more expensive iPhones to come, like the fold, if people are choosing to give Samsung, a company who for some reason has the reputation of being a more “budget friendly” option over $1300, they will more than likely be willing to give Apple, a brand already known for premium pricing, $1900.
And of course, all of the carrier trade in deals and installment plans will be available as well. That helps a lot.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Meh a smartphone is a smartphone... if it does the job it does the job

 

[Populus]

I’m not surprised. The iPhone 17 is a neat iPhone, one of the best values in the market. If it wasn’t because OLED displays bother me, and because nowadays standard size is a bit too much for my one handed use, I would have gotten one in a heart beat.

 

[CarAnalogy]

People say smartphones are boring, and Apple has remained boring in a good way.

There’s nothing new except maybe foldable and they are about to do that too.

I like that one can just buy the latest iPhone and know what they’re going to get. Always kind of a crapshoot with Android.

 

[triumvirate]

I do enjoy my 17PM and its battery life/screen/audio. With the price hikes I’ll probably keep it as long as I can and “downgrade” once it stops getting iOS updates. Apple has really curbed my apple tech enthusiasm lately… and I doubt they’ll bring reasonable pricing back once the AIpocalypse slows down.

 

[klky]

My iPhone 17 has been absolutely rock solid. It’s my first non pro iPhone since pro iPhones were introduced. Most impressively, my battery is still at 98% after one year. This has never happened. I almost want to buy another one before they get replaced.

 

[Takeo Apple]

Meh a smartphone is a smartphone... if it does the job it does the job

Inspiring comment - I guess you don't find joy in many things lol

 

[lazyrighteye]

My 17 PM (my first PM) is probably my fav iPhone I've owned - which counts all of them, save the 5 and 8.
That said, it's a beast - heavy af. When iPhone Air dropped, I was checking it out in-store and it offered th best in-hand feel of any iPhone to date. Laughably thin. Ridiculously ight. Haven't felt that excited about an iPhone since the original - and maybe the X. If that device had a better camera system, that stands a really good chance cos being my next daily driver.

All that aside, the 17 is such a killer value (or was, before the price hike). I can see why it has done so well. Given price hikes, I suspect the 18 won't sell as well. We'll see.

 

[McWetty]

I’m guessing the 17 models were so popular this quarter because people are expecting a huge jump in pricing on the 18 lineup. That’s not taking away from the fact it’s a great phone, I just think people know Apple is reliable and the 17 will last longer than RAMageddon.

 

[ericg301]

I’m guessing the 17 models were so popular this quarter because people are expecting a huge jump in pricing on the 18 lineup. That’s not taking away from the fact it’s a great phone, I just think people know Apple is reliable and the 17 will last longer than RAMageddon.

No they were popular because Apple gave the standard line the same screen as the pro line.

 

[McWetty]

No they were popular because Apple gave the standard line the same screen as the pro line.

Both things can be true at the same time…

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

No they were popular because Apple gave the standard line the same screen as the pro line.

They were popular because they were the iPhone. Just the regular iPhone followed by a number.
Last year, the iPhone 16 was the most popular, the previous year, the 15 was the most popular.
And the pro Max is always the second most popular.
The most surprising thing here is that the 17 Pro was able to make it to number three, usually it’s a little further down the list for the regular Pro models.

 

[one more]

No wonder, a great iPhone at a good price.

 

[tbickle]

I think it’s interesting that Samsung’s $1300 smart phone is performing significantly better this year than their $500 smart phones, which are usually the ones on top.
Promising signs for more expensive iPhones to come, like the fold, if people are choosing to give Samsung, a company who for some reason has the reputation of being a more “budget friendly” option over $1300, they will more than likely be willing to give Apple, a brand already known for premium pricing, $1900.
And of course, all of the carrier trade in deals and installment plans will be available as well. That helps a lot.

Samsung A series are the budget options. S series use the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

This year, S26 base model, 256GB, 6.3", listed at $899.

Low tier unlocked A series is around $200. Or free/discounted with many mobile plans. $500 midrange phones lack value. At that price, getting too close to flagship pricing

 

[rchaser]

...Until the ultra goes on sale.

Then all the foldable naysayers can use their new polishing cloth to wipe their tears away.

The ultra will smash records, prove the doubters wrong, and unequivocally settle the question: "is $2500 worth it for a plastic, highly scratchable larger screen (that's why your new polishing cloth just got softer), one less camera, and no face ID?"

YESSSS!!

Take my next 7 paychecks!!!