Apple is gaining ground in the US smartphone market while Android brands struggle. According to Counterpoint Research, overall US smartphone sales fell 5.7% year-over-year in Q1 2026, but iPhone shipments still grew 1.3%, while Android sales dropped 14.4%.
A key factor was Samsung delaying the launch of the Galaxy S26 series until mid-March, giving Apple an opening in the premium segment. Many customers upgrading early in the year instead chose the iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple also dominated carrier sales, accounting for 77% of smartphone sales at Verizon during the quarter. Strong promotions and stable pricing for models like the iPhone 17e, which now starts with 256GB storage, helped Apple outperform Android rivals facing rising component costs.
While Motorola and Samsung saw some gains in prepaid and retail channels, Apple continues to dominate the high-end US smartphone market.
Source: Android Authority
