iPhone 17 Tops Global Sales in Q2; Galaxy S26 Ultra Ranks Fourth

[Financial News] Apple Inc.'s iPhone 17 was the world's best-selling smartphone in the second quarter of this year. Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26 Ultra led all Android models in sales.
According to market researcher Counterpoint Research on the 27th, the iPhone 17 accounted for 6% of global smartphone sales, ranking first.
Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics each placed five models in the top 10. Those 10 models accounted for 26% of sales, the highest share ever for a June quarter. With the overall smartphone market down 11% from a year earlier, the result appears to reflect each brand's decision to concentrate sales efforts on key models amid memory supply shortages.
Karn Chauhan, a senior researcher at Counterpoint Research, said, "Driven by the iPhone 17 series, iPhone sales rose in India, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa, and nearly doubled in South Korea."
The standard iPhone 17 narrowed the performance gap with the Pro model and held onto the top-selling spot this quarter. Sales of the Pro and Pro Max also increased, supported by trade-in programs, promotions, and installment options. Rising smartphone prices also benefited Apple Inc. as more consumers moved up to higher-end segments.
The iPhone 17e, now one year after launch, also remained in the top 10 thanks to MagSafe support and expanded storage. As with its predecessor, it stayed popular in the United States and Japan on the back of carrier promotions.
Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26 Ultra posted the highest sales among Android smartphones this quarter, marking the first time a premium Ultra model has topped Android sales on a quarterly basis.
Because its launch was delayed compared with the Galaxy S25 series, sales were more heavily concentrated in the second quarter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra accounted for more than half of the series' total sales. Its industry-first Privacy Display and enhanced AI features were cited as key differentiators from competing models. Samsung is reportedly strengthening its focus on flagship lineups and reinforcing promotions and resource allocation to offset margin pressure from rising costs.
Samsung's Galaxy A series, its budget and midrange lineup, also maintained popularity thanks to reasonable prices, an extensive distribution network, and strong value for money. All Galaxy A series models that made the top 10 offer more than six years of software support, giving them an edge even as replacement cycles lengthen.
[email protected] Jang Min-kwon Reporter