The wins in Apple’s column haven’t stopped increasing, and that’s terrible news for rivals as the latest data reveals that the iPhone maker is now the top manufacturer when comparing global smartphone revenue share for Q1 2026. In fact, the latest statistics show that Apple rules this segment with an iron fist, with its mobile devices accounting for 48 percent of the world’s revenue, with the remaining firms left to fight over breadcrumbs.
The latest research reveals that the Average Selling Price (ASP) of Apple’s iPhones is $908, with a record 21 percent share in global shipments for Q1 2026
The numbers provided by Counterpoint Research state that global smartphone revenue for the first quarter of 2026 reached $117 billion, despite a decline in shipments caused by the DRAM crisis. Thankfully, demand for premium devices has increased the ASP by 12 percent compared to Q1 2025. At the center of this growth is Apple, whose ASP increased by 11 percent thanks to ravenous demand for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
“Apple’s growth was driven by sustained demand for the base iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with a stronger mix of these models lifting Apple’s overall ASP by 11% YoY. Unlike its peers, Apple mostly maintained stable pricing despite rising BOM costs, reflecting its ability to absorb cost pressures and remain insulated from the memory crisis, which helped strengthen its competitive position during the quarter. Regionally, Apple saw broad-based strength, especially across the Asia-Pacific region, driven by subsidies, promotions, and trade-in offers.”
In terms of global revenue share, Samsung has secured second place, pocketing 18 percent of total earnings, with an ASP of $399 and a global shipment market share of 21 percent. Sadly for Xiaomi, the latter recorded the steepest decline among the top five brands for Q1 2026, with shipments falling 19 percent year-over-year and revenue getting slashed by 18 percent during the same period.
Due to the ongoing memory shortage, it appears that nearly every smartphone maker is going to feel the pressure, with Apple CEO Tim Cook hinting during the company’s Q2 2026 earnings that its DRAM stockpile is slowly dwindling. With the iPhone 18 launch happening in a couple of months, millions of customers should prepare themselves for a potential price hike. If you want to check out the entire report, you can click on the source link below and let us know what you think in the comments.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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