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What “top phonemaker” means
In this headline, “top” means the company with the most global smartphone shipments in a stated period. Shipments are devices sent to distributors, retailers or carriers; they are not necessarily devices already bought by consumers. That distinction matters when inventory moves ahead of a product launch or demand changes.
- Sell-through counts devices sold to end users.
- Revenue measures sales value, while profit accounts for costs. Neither follows automatically from unit leadership.
- Installed base means phones currently in use, a different measure from new shipments.
- Market share here refers to unit share unless a source explicitly says otherwise.
IDC says its company shipment figures cover branded devices, exclude OEM sales and use the current parent-company structure. Its figures therefore reflect a defined market methodology rather than a count of every phone associated with a manufacturing group. IDC’s smartphone market-share data and methodology
When Samsung moved ahead of Apple
Apple led full-year 2023 global smartphone shipments in figures cited by the April 15, 2024 report: Apple had 20.1% share and Samsung 19.4%. Samsung then regained the shipment lead in early 2024. The report cited February shipments of about 19.69 million Samsung phones, or roughly 20% share, against about 17.41 million Apple phones, or roughly 18%.
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For Q1 2024, the same report gave Samsung 20.8% share and Apple 17.3%. It also described Apple shipments as down about 10% and cited the Galaxy S24 launch and Galaxy AI promotion as contributors to Samsung’s performance. Those figures establish a period-specific lead; they do not show that Samsung led every month of 2024 or that Galaxy AI alone caused the shift. April 2024 report on the early-2024 ranking
How close is the current race?
Different analysts’ estimates do not produce one perfectly consistent ranking. The table separates the periods and sources rather than treating their figures as directly interchangeable.
| Period and source | Samsung | Apple | What the figures say |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026, IDC final data (page updated June 23, 2026) | 62.4 million; 21.2% share; +2.9% year over year | 61.8 million; 21.0% share; +4.4% year over year | Samsung led by 0.6 million units and 0.2 percentage points. |
| Q1 2026, Counterpoint preliminary estimate | 20% share | 21% share | Counterpoint put Apple first, unlike IDC’s final table. |
| Q2 2026, Omdia (July 13, 2026) | 22% share; largest vendor | Not stated in the cited Omdia release | Omdia reported a 4% year-over-year contraction in the global market. |
| Q2 2026, Counterpoint preliminary estimate (July 13, 2026) | 24% share | 20% share | Counterpoint reported an 11% year-over-year global shipment decline. |
Sources: IDC, Counterpoint Q1 2026, Omdia Q2 2026 and Counterpoint Q2 2026.
Rank #2
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IDC’s Q1 lead was a near-tie, and Apple’s year-over-year growth in that table was faster than Samsung’s despite Apple ranking second. The estimates should be read with their firm, quarter and status attached—not combined as if every analyst used an identical method.
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Why Samsung can lead in units
Samsung serves more price tiers than Apple, pairing flagship Galaxy S models with the A-series and other lower-priced options. That breadth can support greater unit volume across markets where buyers have very different budgets.
For Q1 2026, IDC attributed Samsung’s leadership primarily to demand for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and earlier A-series volume. Omdia also cited entry-level A-series shipments alongside premium Galaxy S26 demand. These explanations point to the combined contribution of flagship demand and broad coverage; they do not isolate the effect of any one feature or campaign. Omdia’s Q1 2026 analysis
Rank #3
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Regional strength also affects the global total. In Latin America, Omdia reported Samsung at 37% share, or 12.9 million shipments, in Q1 2026. A global lead can therefore coexist with very different brand rankings in individual countries and regions. Omdia’s Latin America Q1 2026 report
Why Apple remains a powerful competitor
Apple’s narrower focus on premium phones can mean fewer units without indicating weaker financial performance. A shipment ranking alone cannot establish which company has greater smartphone revenue or profit; those require separate financial evidence.
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Rank #4
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Why analysts publish different rankings
IDC’s final Q1 2026 ranking puts Samsung first, while Counterpoint’s preliminary Q1 estimate puts Apple first. Preliminary estimates can change as data is finalized, and analysts may differ in how they count shipments, allocate a quarter’s devices, group brands under parent companies, and account for channel inventory. Rounding can also affect narrow share gaps. IDC describes its branded-shipment and parent-company conventions; Counterpoint labels its Q1 result preliminary and uses its own Market Monitor methodology.
The sources do not provide a single harmonized explanation for every gap between estimates. The useful practice is to identify the analyst, period, measure and whether a figure is preliminary or final whenever quoting a “No. 1” ranking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What market conditions mean for the ranking
These rankings were reported during a difficult period for the smartphone market. IDC counted 293.8 million global shipments in Q1 2026, down 2.9% year over year, and warned that memory constraints were prompting shipment reductions and price increases. Omdia reported a 4% Q2 decline, while Counterpoint’s preliminary estimate put the decline at 11%. The estimates differ, but all point to a pressured market where supply, pricing and shipment timing can affect quarterly standings. IDC, Omdia and Counterpoint
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Should a phone buyer care?
A global shipment lead is context about vendors, not a recommendation for an individual purchase. The phone that makes sense depends on fit, price and availability in the buyer’s market.
- Ecosystem: Consider whether you rely on iOS or Android features and devices you already own.
- Budget and form factor: Samsung offers phones across more price tiers and includes foldable and stylus-equipped options; Apple’s iPhone range is more concentrated around premium models.
- Day-to-day priorities: Compare camera performance, battery life, software-support policies, storage options and accessibility features on the specific models available to you.
- Ownership costs: Check local prices, trade-in value, financing terms, repair access, carrier compatibility and network bands. These can outweigh a global market ranking.
Shipment data does not establish current local prices, promotions, or the best value for a particular buyer. Those details vary by country, retailer, storage tier and carrier.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
