Apple Beats US Smartphone Market in Q1 as iPhone Sales Rise 1.3%

8 articles · Updated · Business Insider · May 17

Counterpoint said Apple grew US iPhone sales volume 1.3% in Q1 2026 even as the overall smartphone market contracted 5.7%.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 launch slipped to March 11 from its usual January window, giving Apple extra time to capture demand with the iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple also benefited from pricing: the iPhone 17e stayed at $599 while adding 256GB of storage, while Samsung raised Galaxy S26 base and Plus prices by $100.
The broader market was pressured by weaker consumer spending and higher memory-chip costs, a backdrop that could further aid Apple if it avoids major price increases.

As memory costs soar, will the next iPhone's price finally test the limits of customer loyalty and market power?

Is Samsung's Q1 fumble a simple misstep, or a sign it can no longer compete with Apple's strategic dominance?

With a new CEO and a foldable iPhone on the horizon, is Apple entering its most innovative or riskiest era yet?