Apple iPhone US Sales Up 1.3% in Q1 2026 Amid 5.7% Market Drop

Apple's iPhone sales rose 1.3 percent year over year in the United States during the first quarter of 2026, even as the overall smartphone market contracted by 5.7 percent, according to data from market research firm Counterpoint Research.

The growth boosted Apple's market share by 4 percentage points, reaching 75 percent of smartphone sales at the three largest carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, up from 72 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Android device sales fell sharply by 14.4 percent over the same period. At Verizon, Apple's share climbed to 77 percent.

Analysts attributed Apple's performance to sustained demand for the iPhone 17 lineup, particularly the base model, combined with a delayed launch of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series. The Galaxy S26 models arrived in mid-March, later than the typical January or February rollout in prior years, creating a temporary gap in the premium segment. The US premium smartphone market remains concentrated among a few brands, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola, where timing of flagship releases significantly influences upgrades.

Apple maintained stable pricing on the iPhone 17e compared to the previous year while...