Best-Selling Phones Announced – 2026
As competition intensifies in the global smartphone market, shipment data for the second quarter of 2026 shows a shift in the balance. According to the latest report published by research firm Smart Analytics Global (SAG), the Samsung Galaxy A series is reclaiming the title of the world’s best-selling smartphone family from Apple, capturing 18 percent […]
As competition intensifies in the global smartphone market, shipment data for the second quarter of 2026 shows a shift in the balance. According to the latest report published by research firm Smart Analytics Global (SAG), the Samsung Galaxy A series is reclaiming the title of the world’s best-selling smartphone family from Apple, capturing 18 percent of the market. The iPhone 17 series, in second place, is maintaining its top three positions in individual model sales with a 24 percent year-on-year growth.
Samsung Targets Volume, Apple Targets Premium Segment
In an era of rapidly increasing component and memory costs, manufacturers are pursuing different crisis strategies. Samsung is choosing to maintain its market share and shipment volume by sacrificing a reasonable amount of profit margin.
With an 11% year-on-year growth, the Galaxy A series is led by the Galaxy A17 5G, while models like the A16 4G, A56 5G, A17 4G, and A07 5G directly support this growth. In an environment where Chinese Competitors are reducing the number of models and raising prices in the entry and mid-range segments, Samsung is reinforcing its leadership in the budget-friendly category by leveraging its extensive supply chain advantage.
On the other hand, Apple is reaping the rewards of strong demand in the flagship and high-end segments. The iPhone 17 family, which accounts for 16% of the market, sees the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro as the three best-selling independent phone models globally. The more accessible member of the family, the iPhone 17e, is performing above expectations, particularly in the US and Japanese markets.
2026 Second Quarter Smartphone Family Ranking
| Product Family | Global Market Share | Year-to-Date Change (YoY) | Featured Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A Series | 18% | +11% | Galaxy A17 5G, A16 4G, A56 5G |
| Apple iPhone 17 Series | |||
| Xiaomi Redmi Series | |||
| Samsung Galaxy S Series | |||
| Apple iPhone 16 Series |
Price Pressure Challenges Android Manufacturers, Huawei Resists
Budget-focused Android brands, which are quickly behind the top two spots on the list, are experiencing a significant contraction. Although Xiaomi’s Redmi family, ranking third, holds 7% of the market, it is declining by 17% year-on-year. Similarly, the vivo Y and OPPO A series are down 18%, the Honor X series 24%, the Xiaomi POCO family 40%, and the Motorola G series 35%. These declines are primarily driven by price-sensitive consumers taking a cautious approach to rising prices.
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series is also losing the momentum from its first-quarter launch, falling by 18% in the second quarter to a 4% market share. In contrast, Huawei, maintaining its strength in the Chinese market, is experiencing a remarkable surge. The Nova series is growing by 19% year-on-year, while the Changxiang family is achieving a striking growth rate of 94%, boosted by models like the Changxiang 90 Pro Max.
How Will the Balance Shape Up in the Second Half of the Year?
As we enter the second half of 2026, the focus is on whether the demand for the upper segment will continue. The report predicts that the increase in memory and chip costs will be reflected in smartphone prices, and purchasing power pressure will become more pronounced, especially in developing markets. It is said that Apple will try to defend its main volume with the iPhone 17 series due to the high comparison base of the iPhone 18 Pro series and the changing model structure, while whether Samsung can continue its volume strategy in the budget segment will determine the direction of the market.
