Apple iPhone Shipments Grow in Q1 2026 as US Android Sales Fall

Apple increased iPhone shipments in the United States during the first quarter of 2026, diverging from a broader decline in the domestic smartphone market. While the overall industry saw a contraction, Apple managed to grow its sales volume, further distancing itself from Android-based competitors in the premium segment.

Data from Counterpoint Research indicates that total US smartphone sales declined by 5.7% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026. Despite this market-wide slump, Apple recorded a 1.3% increase in shipments during the same period.

The downturn was significantly more severe for Android brands. According to the research, Android smartphone sales in the US fell by 14.4% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026.

Competitive Dynamics in the Premium Segment

The disparity in performance is attributed in part to the timing of flagship product releases. Counterpoint Research suggests that a delayed launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 created a vacancy in the premium smartphone market during January and February 2026.

Apple capitalized on this gap in the availability of new high-end Android devices to capture additional market share at the start of the year.

This growth in the first quarter of 2026 follows a strong performance in the preceding year. Apple finished 2025 as the world’s top smartphone brand based on the total number of units shipped.