iPhone 17, the boss of the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2026, the best-selling smartphone worldwide is the iPhone 17, representing 6% of total sales according to the latest estimates from Counterpoint. An iPhone 17 trio tops the global Top 10. The three most popular devices this quarter are all iPhone 17s, with the Pro Max in second place and the Pro in third. The Top 10 for this period contains a total of four Apple devices, as the iPhone 16 is still present in sixth position, suggesting strong demand for this device despite its release at the end of 2024. Why the iPhone 17 is so popular, according to Counterpoint. According to Counterpoint, the success of the iPhone 17 is due to its improvements that bring it closer to the Pro models, such as the increased base storage of 256GB, better cameras, and a 120Hz variable refresh rate display. It should also be noted that this model will benefit from greater exposure than its predecessors, as the iPhone 18 will not arrive until spring 2027, approximately six months later than usual. Samsung and Xiaomi complete the Top 10. The rest of the Top 10 is occupied by Samsung's mid-range models (Galaxy A series), plus the Xiaomi Redmi A5 in tenth position. In total, these ten best-selling models represent 25% of total smartphone sales, the best Top 10 performance ever recorded for a first quarter.