Galaxy S26 Ultra outsold its predecessor, but still dropped off of 2026’s first top 10 list
Source: 9to5Google
Q1 2026 Sales Overview
The numbers are in for Q1 2026, and for the first time in a while Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra almost managed to crack the top 10.
As reported by Counterpoint Research, the top 10 best‑selling smartphones of Q1 2026 were, unsurprisingly, dominated by iPhones and budget Android devices. The base iPhone 17 alone accounted for 6 % of global smartphone sales in Q1 2026. The top 10 list as a whole represented 25 % of global smartphone sales in the quarter—the highest Q1 concentration ever.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Performance
The Galaxy S26 Ultra narrowly missed the top 10, according to Counterpoint, despite “stronger initial sales compared to its predecessor.” Samsung’s 2026 flagship is notable for its industry‑first privacy display and AI feature upgrades.
Comparison with the Previous Year
- In 2025 overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra secured the #9 spot on the best‑selling list.
(source) - In Q1 2025, the S25 Ultra reached #7.
(source)
Despite the rise in sales, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still fell short of the top 10, likely due to the higher concentration of sales among budget models and iPhones.