Global Consumers Compete for iPhone and Samsung: Who Will Lead in 2026?
The competition within the global smartphone industry is intensifying between the world’s two largest players. Amidst a market facing various pressures, Apple’s iPhone and Samsung remain the best-selling mobile phones globally.
According to Counterpoint Research, the two largest mobile brands, iPhone and Samsung, dominated the top 10 best-selling phones in the second quarter of 2026. The iPhone 17 5G secured first place, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra ranked third, becoming the best-selling Android phone in the world during this period.
The achievement of the S26 Ultra marks the first time an ultra-premium Android device has led Android sales up until the end of June. A later launch compared to the S25 series also shifted sales into the second quarter.
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is performing better than its predecessor and accounts for more than half of the series’ sales,” said Senior Analyst Harshit Rastogi, as reported on Sunday (30/08/2026).
He also commented on the privacy screen features of the Ultra series and the AI capabilities that differentiate the smartphone from its competitors. Samsung is reportedly increasing its focus on flagship smartphones, enhancing promotions, and allocating strategic resources to mitigate revenue declines amidst rising costs.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 5G is also among the models listed. This phone ranked 9th, outperforming the iPhone 16 5G, which occupied the 10th position.
Other Samsung models appearing on the list include the Galaxy A07 4G (5th), Galaxy A17 5G (6th), and Galaxy A17 4G (8th).
On the other hand, five iPhone models are present in the list, including the iPhone 17 5G, which tops the rankings.
Senior Analyst Karn Chauhan stated that the iPhone 17 model remains the best-seller, supported by significant hardware upgrades. This has narrowed the sales gap with the Pro models.
“Meanwhile, strong premium demand is driving sales for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, aided by promotional trade-in programmes and more accessible cost options that increase affordability. The rise in smartphone prices is also pushing consumers towards the high-end segment, strengthening Apple’s competitive position,” he explained.
Regarding the iPhone 17e, it was noted that the model continues to maintain its position with the addition of MagSafe features and larger internal storage. This model remains popular in the United States and Japan markets.
Here are the top 10 best-selling mobile phones in the world for the second quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research:
iPhone 17 5G
iPhone 17 Pro Max 5G
iPhone 17 Pro 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G
Galaxy A07 4G
Galaxy A17 5G
iPhone 17E 5G
Galaxy A17 4G
Galaxy S26 5G
iPhone 16 5G