Apple Lifts Latin America iPhone Shipments 31% to 1.8 Million as Mexico Jumps 80%
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · May 21
Apple Lifts Latin America iPhone Shipments 31% to 1.8 Million as Mexico Jumps 80%
3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · May 21
1.8 million iPhones shipped in Latin America in Q1 2026, lifting Apple 31% year over year and giving it a 5% regional market share, according to Omdia.
Mexico drove much of the gain: Apple rose to No. 3 there with a 16% share after an 80% shipment jump, while Omdia also cited strong reception for the iPhone 17 series.
Brazil and Mexico were the only top regional markets where Apple ranked in the top five; Apple placed fifth in Brazil with a 5% share.
34.8 million smartphones shipped across Latin America overall, up 3%, with Samsung still leading at 12.9 million units and 37% share.
Memory shortages and higher component costs constrained cheaper phones in Q1, and Omdia expects retail price pressure below $300 to become more visible from late Q2.
How will Samsung defend its market lead as rising costs fuel Apple's premium growth and squeeze budget rivals?
With memory prices soaring, will the affordable smartphone soon become a luxury for millions in Latin America?
Is Apple's success a sign of market strength or a warning of a growing digital divide in emerging economies?