The Apple iPhone 17 is the most popular smartphone in the world.
The list of the world’s best-selling smartphones continues to be led by the Apple iPhone in the second quarter of 2026, with the iPhone 17 proving even more popular than its predecessor. However, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series has also secured two spots in the top 10.
For years, the Apple iPhone has consistently held multiple spots on the list of the world’s most popular smartphones, which Counterpoint Research publishes every quarter. This is due in no small part to the fact that Apple offers relatively few smartphone models yet still holds a high market share. However, with a 6 percent market share, the iPhone 17 ($759 on Amazon) is even more popular than its predecessor – the iPhone 16 achieved only a 4 percent market share in the same quarter last year.
This could be due in no small part to the fact that the iPhone 17 finally features an OLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz instead of just 60 Hz. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max also managed to increase their market share. Apple holds a total of five spots on the list of the world’s ten best-selling smartphones, including the iPhone 17e at number seven and the iPhone 16 at number ten. While Xiaomi didn’t make it onto the charts this year, Samsung’s flagship series has now secured two spots.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks fourth, right behind the iPhone 17 Pro, while the more compact Galaxy S26 takes ninth place. In the mid-range segment, Samsung’s Galaxy A series is unrivaled. The Galaxy A07 4G was the best-selling mid-range smartphone from April through June, followed by the Galaxy A17 5G and the Galaxy A17 4G. Although the Galaxy A07 4G offers modest specs, including a 720p+ LCD and MediaTek Helio G99, Samsung guarantees six major Android updates – a true rarity in this price range.
Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.