The base model iPhone 17 was the most popular smartphone in the entire world during the second quarter of 2026. According to a brand new report from Counterpoint Research, the device captured six percent of all global smartphone sales. Apple saw very strong numbers across the board, proving that its latest lineup is a major hit with buyers despite a general drop in phone sales worldwide.
Apple grabs half of the top ten sales spots
Counterpoint Research notes that Apple took five out of the ten spots on the best selling list. The standard model led the pack, helped by major upgrades that made it closer in quality to the pricier models.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max secured the second place position, while the iPhone 17 Pro took third place. Trade in programs and easy financing options helped push these premium models higher up the charts. The budget friendly iPhone 17e landed in seventh place, getting a boost from the addition of MagSafe and more storage without a price increase. The older iPhone 16 rounded out the bottom of the top ten list.
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Overall, the company saw a five percent increase in sales compared to the same time last year. Sales numbers doubled in South Korea and grew across Japan, India, and the Middle East.
Samsung takes the remaining five spots on the list
Samsung was the only other smartphone maker to break into the top ten during the second quarter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G came in fourth place. This marks the first time an ultra premium Android device has led Android sales during a June quarter.
The rest of the list belongs to the more affordable Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A07 4G took fifth place, followed by the Galaxy A17 5G in sixth. The Galaxy A17 4G and Galaxy S26 5G secured the eighth and ninth spots. These phones are popular because they offer great value and come with six years of software support.
Together, the top ten phones made up 26 percent of all global smartphone sales for the quarter. This is a two percent increase from the previous year. Brands are clearly focusing on their key models to push through current component shortages.
As the year moves forward, it will be interesting to see if these trends hold steady. The push toward high end devices shows that buyers prioritize quality and long term value over cheap alternatives. With both major brands focusing heavily on premium hardware, the smartphone market is slowly shifting toward a higher standard of everyday tech.
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