Overview
- Counterpoint Research reports U.S. iPhone sales rose 1.3% in Q1 2026 as the overall smartphone market fell 5.7%.
- Apple increased its share at all three major carriers, reaching 77% of smartphone sales at Verizon in the quarter.
- Stronger-than-expected demand for the base iPhone 17, plus leftover holiday supply shortages, extended buying into early 2026.
- Samsung’s Galaxy S26 arrived in mid-March, which left Apple with a longer window to capture premium upgrades during the quarter.
- Higher DRAM and NAND costs and weak prepaid demand hurt low-cost Android brands, while Samsung and Motorola gained share at budget-focused retailers like Cricket and Metro.