Counterpoint figures: Apple fastest growing smartphone maker, iPhone 17 leads
While the smartphone market is generally sluggish, Apple is celebrating record sales with the iPhone 17 in the first quarter, according to analysts.
iPhone packaging: It just keeps going and going.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / Mac & i)
The research company Counterpoint has released its smartphone figures for the first quarter of 2026. They show that Apple has succeeded in further strengthening its market position – in a market with overall weaker sales. The US manufacturer is therefore leading in two categories: both in growth and in individual sales.
Apple keeps prices relatively stable, yet grows
According to Counterpoint analysts, who rely on market surveys, the unit sales worldwide from January to March decreased. The fact that revenues still increased by eight percent year-on-year was due to current component inflation, particularly in DRAM and NAND.
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The average selling price thus rose to a record high of 399 US dollars, an increase of 12 percent. Apple grew by far the most, with the highest revenue to date, according to Counterpoint. The year-on-year increase was 22 percent, even though the iPhone company had kept its prices relatively stable. In terms of revenue distribution, Apple now accounts for 48 percent, followed by Samsung with 18 percent. Oppo, Xiaomi, and Vivo came in at 6, 5, and 4 percent, respectively. Apple's average selling price per iPhone is now 908 dollars. In the same quarter last year, it was still 816 dollars.
iPhone 17 is the world's most popular smartphone
In another Counterpoint study, which breaks down sales by model, the iPhone 17 is the most popular smartphone worldwide. The entire top ten of the most popular models accounts for 25 percent of the total market share, with the iPhone 17 alone accounting for six percent. This is followed by the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro, and at number 6, the iPhone 16. Ranks 4 and 5 were taken by the Samsung Galaxy A07 in its 4G version and the A17 in its 5G variant. The top ten also includes three other Galaxies (A56, A36, and A17 4G, ranks 7 to 9) and, with the Redmi A5, a single Xiaomi device.
According to Counterpoint, the iPhone 17 was popular due to its technical improvements, including higher storage capacity in the entry-level variant, higher camera resolution, and an improved display. It should be noted that popular Chinese phones from manufacturers like Huawei are not offered or are only offered to a limited extent in Western countries.
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