Apple counters US smartphone decline as iPhone sales grow: report
9to5Mac • • general
Key Points:
- Apple’s iPhone sales in the US grew by 1.3% year-over-year in Q1 2026, contrasting with a 5.7% decline in the overall smartphone market, according to Counterpoint Research.
- Strong demand for the base iPhone 17 and Samsung’s delayed Galaxy S26 launch in mid-March created a premium smartphone sales gap that benefited Apple.
- The iPhone’s share of smartphone sales at the three major US carriers rose to 75% in Q1 2026, with Verizon showing the highest increase to 77%.
- Apple maintained consistent pricing for the iPhone 17e while increasing entry-level storage to 256GB, unlike competitors who raised prices amid rising memory costs.
- Apple outperformed Samsung in promotional efforts for smartphones priced $600 and above, strengthening its market position in US postpaid channels.