In Q1 2026, the smartphone market saw the top 10 best-selling models account for a remarkable 25% of global sales, marking the highest concentration for this quarter ever recorded. The base model of the iPhone 17 was particularly notable, capturing 6% of total smartphone sales during this period.
Despite its stronger initial sales compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra did not secure a place in the top 10 list, according to Counterpoint Research. The flagship device from Samsung narrowly missed out, indicating that budget models and iPhones dominated the rankings. In contrast, the previous model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, managed to achieve the #7 position in Q1 of 2025.
One of the key features attracting attention to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is its innovative privacy display, which is a first in the smartphone industry, alongside enhanced AI capabilities. The competitive landscape suggests that achieving a top 10 ranking has become increasingly challenging for premium smartphones.