Apple’s iPhone has long dominated the US smartphone market. However, March 2026 brought a positive shift for Samsung, as the Galaxy S26 Ultra unexpectedly surged to the third spot on the best-sellers list.

According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research tracking eight major global markets, the US premium segment is now effectively a two-horse race between Apple and Samsung. Apple continues to hold a massive advantage, securing three of the top five positions.

Breaking it down, the iPhone 17 led the pack with a 13% market share, closely followed by the 17 Pro Max at a nearly identical rate. Hot on their heels, Samsung’s top-tier Galaxy S26 Ultra claimed the third position with a 12% share, outpacing the iPhone 17 Pro, which fell to fourth. The mid-range Galaxy A17 5G rounded out the top five.

The US isn't the only market witnessing Apple's dominance. The tech giant also topped the sales charts in six other countries: China, India, Germany, the UK, France, and Japan. Conversely, on its home turf in South Korea, Samsung remains unrivaled, with the S26 Ultra alone commanding a staggering 43% market share.

Previously, the Galaxy S26 lineup was notably absent from Counterpoint’s top 10 global best-selling smartphones list for Q1 2026. Analysts attribute this primarily to the flagship's relatively late launch compared to the early-year shopping cycle, meaning its initial sales volumes missed the quarter's aggregated data.