As per an analysis by Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 series dominated the charts, securing the top three positions. Apart from iPhone 17, Samsung’s Galaxy A series had the widest presence with five models in the top 10 list, news agency IANS reported. 

The top 10 smartphones accounted for 25 per cent of global unit sales during the quarter, the highest-ever concentration for a first quarter, driven by strong demand for Apple’s latest lineup and pressure on Android manufacturers in the mass-market segment amid rising component costs.

Harshit Rastogi, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, highlighted, “iPhone 17 continues to outperform its predecessor owing to key upgrades such as higher base storage, improved camera resolution and enhanced display refresh rate, bringing it closer to the Pro variants."

“The device registered double-digit year-on-year growth in key markets like China and the US and nearly threefold growth in South Korea during the quarter,” Rastogi further added.

iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Max follow closely

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro followed closely, offering advanced features across camera, battery, and design.

Among Android devices, Samsung’s Galaxy A07 4G emerged as the best-selling smartphone, driven by strong demand in emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. 

The model’s extended software and security support also boosted its appeal among value-focused buyers.

The report also noted that Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra narrowly missed the top 10 list, though it recorded stronger initial sales compared to its predecessor, supported by new features, including a privacy display and AI upgrades.

Looking ahead, the report further projected that the share of top-selling smartphone models will increase further in 2026, with premium devices continuing to gain traction even as overall market growth remains under pressure.

Highlighting the global smartphone sales in the first quarter, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research said, “In response to evolving market dynamics, OEMs are increasingly focusing on premium portfolios, prioritising value over volume.”

(With inputs from IANS)

According to the CMR ‘India Mobile Handset Market Review’ by CyberMedia Research (CMR), the impact was sharply uneven across segments, as per IANS. 

While the premium segment grew 25 per cent, the affordable segment declined 46 per cent, and the value-for-money segment fell 12 per cent. 

India’s smartphone market under clear cost pressure

India's smartphone market entered 2026 under clear cost pressure, largely driven by ongoing memory supply constraints. However, a sharp rise in DRAM and NAND prices has increased device costs, forcing brands to recalibrate pricing across segments. 

Furthermore, this has resulted in slower upgrade cycles, said Menka Kumari, senior analyst–Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR.

The impact is most pronounced in the value-for-money segment, where price sensitivity remains high.

While the performance is already declining, the market is undergoing a structural shift. Consumers are becoming more deliberate in their purchase decisions, prioritising tangible value over frequent upgrades, said the report.

As per IANS, the report also highlighted that the feature phone segment deepened its structural decline in Q1 2026. The 2G segment fell 12 per cent YoY, while 4G feature phones collapsed 41 per cent.

India’s smartphone market is likely to decline by 10-12 per cent

Going forward, CMR projects a 10-12 per cent full-year decline for India's smartphone market in CY2026, with the affordable and value-for-money segments likely to see continued volume pressure, margin compression, and cautious consumer demand.

Near-term demand will remain uneven, with price-sensitive consumers in the affordable and value-for-money segments deferring upgrades amid sustained cost pressures.

As OEMs intensify their premium focus, a clear gap is emerging in the low-cost smartphone segment (Rs 5000-Rs 150000), which is being left underserved. For smartphone OEMs that can deliver differentiated value at accessible price points. This represents a significant and largely untapped opportunity,” said Amit Sharma, Senior Analyst–Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), at CMR.

(With inputs from IANS)