The early 2026 smartphone market is shaping up as a split story: Apple owns the top of the chart, while Samsung spreads its strength across more models than any other brand. Counterpoint Research says the iPhone 17 led global smartphone sales in the first three months of 2026, while Samsung placed five Galaxy A devices inside the global top 10.
Apple’s latest lineup did more than secure first place. The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro took the three highest positions in the ranking, giving Apple a clean sweep at the top of the list. Together, those models reinforce how strongly the iPhone 17 series has started its sales cycle.
Counterpoint said the iPhone 17 accounted for about 6% of total global smartphone sales in the period. Its performance was supported by double-digit annual growth in key markets, including China and the United States, while South Korea was said to have seen growth reach three times the level of the previous year.
Apple Holds the Premium End
The strength of the Pro models also helped Apple extend its lead. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro benefited from higher-end features than the regular version, including camera upgrades, battery life, and a refreshed design through new color, material, and finish options.
Apple’s older models still remained relevant in the same period. The regular iPhone 16 held sixth place in the global top 10, even after previously being the world’s best-selling smartphone throughout 2025 according to Counterpoint.
That shows Apple’s premium pull has not come only from the newest release. The company continued to place multiple phones near the top, with both the latest flagship series and a previous-generation model contributing to its presence in the ranking.
Samsung’s Reach Comes From Volume
Samsung’s showing looked different. Rather than relying on a single flagship, the company put five Galaxy A models into the top 10, making it the brand with the widest spread in the list.
The best-performing Samsung phone was the Galaxy A07 4G, which Counterpoint identified as the company’s top seller for the quarter. It was also described as the best-selling Android smartphone in the same period.
The Galaxy A07 4G’s sales were driven by developing markets. Counterpoint highlighted the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America as key regions for entry-level and midrange phones, where the device found strong demand.
Four other Samsung models joined it on the list: Galaxy A17 5G, Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A17 4G. The lineup suggests Samsung’s early-2026 momentum came largely from the midrange and entry-level segments rather than from its flagship family.
A Near Miss at the Top End
Samsung’s flagship line was not absent from the conversation, even though it did not enter the top 10. Counterpoint said the Galaxy S26 Ultra came close to making the list and posted stronger early sales than its predecessor during its initial release period.
That detail matters because it shows Samsung had traction above the Galaxy A series as well, even if the volume leader still came from the more affordable side of the catalog. The company’s strongest presence in the chart, however, still came from the broad reach of its Galaxy A family.
Xiaomi closed the list with the Redmi A5 in 10th place. It was the cheapest phone among the top 10 and marked a return for the Redmi A-series to the global best-seller ranking.
Its presence also underlines a wider pattern in the market. The premium tier was led by Apple, the highest-volume spread came from Samsung’s midrange and entry-level phones, and the lower-priced segment still had room for a model like the Redmi A5 to break into the global list.
Counterpoint said the 10 best-selling smartphones in January-March 2026 accounted for about 25% of total global smartphone sales, the highest share recorded for a first quarter so far. The full top 10 consisted of iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy A07 4G, Galaxy A17 5G, iPhone 16, Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A17 4G, and Redmi A5.
