As global smartphone shipments fell to their lowest quarterly level since the third quarter of 2012, Apple and Samsung both managed to capture well over a fifth of the market.
While it remains to be seen whether the iPhone 18 Pro will be as successful as Apple hopes, the company appears to be heading in the right direction. In its third quarter 2026 financial report, Apple revealed that iPhone revenue reached $54.25 billion, up 21.7% from $44.58 billion in the third quarter of 2025.
Now a report of Search for counterpoint put this success into perspective. It offers a good idea of how iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro shipments factored into the overall global smartphone market during the third quarter of 2026.
Due to the current industry-wide RAM shortage, global smartphone shipments have reportedly seen a 20% year-over-year decline. Despite this, the market has been dominated by Apple and Samsung, and both companies have managed to increase their market share.
According to Monday’s report, iPhones accounted for 22% of all global smartphone shipments, trailing Samsung’s shipments at 23%. Although the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are more expensive than their respective predecessors, both models have reportedly seen a bigger launch in China and India.
Other smartphone makers, meanwhile, apparently haven’t had as much success. Xiaomi’s market share fell to just 10%, down from 14% in the third quarter of 2025. Oppo and Vivo had 9% and 8% of the market, respectively, down from 12% and 9% the previous year.
Overall, the iPhone seems to be doing better than ever, even without the base model, the iPhone 18. We have yet to see how the iPhone Duo will affect Apple’s position in the global smartphone market, as the foldable iPhone won’t reach consumers until October 23, 2026.
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