Apple has become the world leader in smartphone shipments for the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research data. The analysis reveals that the U.S. technology company captured a market share of 21%, marking its first time leading the global smartphone market.
Samsung, a South Korean manufacturer, secured second place with a 20% share, while Xiaomi accounted for 13% of total shipments in the period.
Global smartphone shipments declined by 6% compared to Q1 2025, primarily due to disruptions from the Middle East conflict and its impact on supply chains. Counterpoint analyst Shillie Jain noted that memory chip manufacturers are shifting priorities toward artificial intelligence data centers over consumer electronics production, contributing to the downward trend in device output.
