Between January and March 2026, the global smartphone race continued to be intense. While the leading position remains a subject of debate among research organizations, one thing is almost undeniable: Apple dominated the rankings of the world's best-selling phone models.
According to the latest data, the top three global positions in Q1 2026 all belong to the iPhone 17 series. Notably, the standard iPhone 17 is the leading device, surpassing even the higher-end models such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.
Specifically, the iPhone 17 accounted for approximately 6% of total global smartphone sales in the first three months of the year – a very impressive figure. This marks a reversal from Q4 2025, when the iPhone 17 Pro Max led the market. Compared to previous generations like the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, this year's standard version is clearly demonstrating significantly greater appeal.
The reasons for this success are not difficult to understand. Apple kept the starting price the same while significantly upgrading the basic storage capacity, improving the camera, and expanding the screen size with better refresh rate technology. These changes made the "budget" version more attractive to the vast majority of users.
Although Apple dominates the top 3, Samsung still shows a strong presence with many positions in the top 10. Models such as the Samsung Galaxy A07, Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, Samsung Galaxy A56, and Samsung Galaxy A36 respectively hold high positions, demonstrating the strength of the mid-range and budget smartphone segment.
Notably, no flagship models from the Galaxy S series appeared in the top 10, but that doesn't diminish the significance of this achievement. Compared to the same period last year, the new Galaxy A series has shown a clear improvement in sales and popularity.
Conversely, Apple also showed some concerning signs. The iPhone 16 dropped from 4th place in the previous quarter to 6th, while the cheaper iPhone 16e didn't even make the rankings. This raises questions about the company's product strategy, especially since some lines like the iPhone Air haven't met expectations.
Another issue under debate is the launch plan for the next generation. If the majority of users prefer the standard version like the iPhone 17, delaying the launch of the regular iPhone 18 until next spring (according to rumors) could be a risky decision.
Nevertheless, it's undeniable that Apple still holds a significant advantage in terms of global popularity. The success of the iPhone 17 shows that users are increasingly prioritizing devices that strike a balance between price and features, rather than focusing solely on the most premium versions.
Meanwhile, Samsung continues to pursue a broad market penetration strategy to maintain its competitiveness. The race between these two giants therefore promises to be even more dynamic in the coming quarters of 2026.
According to Phone Arena
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nhip-song-so/iphone-17-ban-thuong-bat-ngo-thong-tri-toan-cau-225175.html
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