Technology
Android maintains global smartphone sales lead as market pressures shift priorities
New data shows Android captured three-quarters of global sales in Q2 2026, even as rising costs and RAM shortages impact the industry.
The short version
- Android held approximately 75% of global smartphone sales in Q2 2026, compared to 20% for iOS and 5% for Huawei's HarmonyOS.
- Despite dominating overall sales, Android's market share dropped by 4% year-over-year from Q2 2025.
- Chinese manufacturers are moving away from entry-level smartphones toward higher-value models in response to rising costs and RAM shortages.
Key facts
- According to Counterpoint Research, Android accounted for about 75% of global smartphone sales in Q2 2026, down from 79% in Q2 2025.[9to5Google]
- Apple's iOS secured 20% of global smartphone sales in Q2 2026, while Huawei's HarmonyOS accounted for 5%.[9to5Google]
- The performance of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, particularly its Ultra model, helped slow down Android's overall market share decline.[9to5Google]
- Chinese Android manufacturers are prioritizing higher-end devices and reducing lower-cost entry-level options due to RAM shortages and rising production expenses.[9to5Google]
- In a regional breakdown of Q2 2025 data, Google's budget Pixel 10a model captured 7% of smartphone sales in Japan, ranking behind the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17E.[9to5Google]