A new report from Counterpoint Research shows that the iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone in the world during the first quarter of 2026.
The standard iPhone 17 accounted for 6% of all smartphone sales globally, making it the top-selling device of the quarter. It replaced the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which had previously led sales during the late 2025 launch period.
The shift reflects Apple’s usual sales pattern. When new iPhones launch, many early buyers choose the more expensive Pro models first. Later, the standard versions become more popular with mainstream consumers because they offer many flagship features at a lower price.
Apple continued to dominate the smartphone market overall, with its newest iPhone lineup taking all top three spots in global sales rankings. The company also saw major growth in China, where sales reportedly increased by 20%. This helped Apple generate quarterly revenue of about $85.3 billion.
Older models also continued performing well, with the iPhone 16 still ranking among the top-selling devices worldwide.
Outside Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi also maintained strong positions in the market. Samsung attracted budget-conscious buyers with affordable devices like the Galaxy A07 5G and Galaxy A17 5G, while Xiaomi’s Redmi A5 also entered the global top 10 list.
One major reason behind the iPhone 17’s success is how powerful the standard model has become. Many consumers now feel there is less need to spend extra money on Pro versions because the regular iPhone 17 already includes premium features like smoother ProMotion displays and a large screen size similar to the Pro Max.
For many buyers, the main difference between the standard and Pro models is now the camera system, especially the telephoto lens. As a result, more people are choosing the regular iPhone 17 as the best mix of performance, features, and price.
