Apple finished as the world's number one smartphone brand by shipments in the first quarter of 2026, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. It's the first time the company has ever led the market in a Q1. Apple captured 21 percent of global shipments and grew 9 percent year-over-year, even as the overall market contracted 3 percent.

Apple finished as the world's number one smartphone brand by shipments in the first quarter of 2026, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. It's the first time the company has ever led the market in a Q1. Apple captured 21 percent of global shipments and grew 9 percent year-over-year, even as the overall market contracted 3 percent.