Apple's iPhone 17 became the world's best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of this year.
According to a global handset model sales tracking report released Thursday by market research firm Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 accounted for 6% of global smartphone sales in the first quarter, ranking No. 1. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro took second and third place, respectively, giving Apple a sweep of the top three positions.
Counterpoint Research said the iPhone 17 series expanded its consumer base by narrowing the gap between the standard and Pro models through larger base storage, improved camera performance and higher display refresh rates. It noted that the series posted double-digit growth rates in major markets such as China and the United States, while sales in Korea tripled from the previous quarter. The results stand in contrast to early criticism that dismissed the device as an "ugly iPhone."
While the iPhone 17 series swept the top three rankings, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) placed the largest number of models in the top 10, led by its Galaxy A series. Five Galaxy A models, including the Galaxy A07 4G, made the top 10 — the most of any series. The Galaxy A07 4G was tallied as the best-selling Android smartphone in the first quarter.
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra failed to enter the top 10, but its initial sales performance improved compared with its predecessor, according to the research.
Counterpoint Research projected that sales concentration among the top 10 smartphone models will intensify further this year. "Market slowdown is more likely to affect the mass-market segment, while premium smartphones are expected to expand their share," said Jan Stryjak, associate director at Counterpoint Research. "As a result, manufacturers are shifting their strategies to prioritize profitability and product value over sales volume."
Meanwhile, Apple recently disclosed that revenue for its fiscal second quarter (January–March) rose 17% from the same period a year earlier to $111.18 billion (about 164 trillion won). iPhone revenue jumped 21.7% year-on-year to $56.99 billion, setting a new second-quarter record.
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