Apple Tops Q1 2026 Smartphones With 21% Share as Global Shipments Fall 3%

6 articles · Updated · PhoneArena · May 26

Apple captured 21% of the global smartphone market in Q1 2026, edging Samsung for its first-ever lead in a quarter that has traditionally favored Samsung.
Counterpoint said Apple's shipments rose 9% year over year, with strong iPhone 17 demand sustaining momentum beyond the usual post-launch slowdown.
The broader market still contracted 3% as memory-chip shortages raised production costs and constrained device supply.
Regional demand was uneven: Latin America grew 3%, helped by Motorola, Honor and Apple's return to Argentina, while Asia-Pacific fell 3% and Europe dropped 6%.
The result marks an unusual seasonal shift for the industry, with Apple leading in Q1 rather than its customary Q4 peak after new iPhone launches.

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