Premium Smartphone Sales Hit Record High in First Half of 2026

New data from Counterpoint Research shows that the premium smartphone market accounted for 29% of global sales in the first half of 2026. This segment, covering devices priced at $600 and above, recorded a four-point increase compared to the same period last year. Apple continued to lead the premium segment with a 65% market share, up from 63% in the first half of 2025. The research firm attributes Apple's 9% year-on-year growth to the strong performance of the iPhone 17 series, particularly the base model, which helped reverse the company's decline in the Chinese market due to competition. Samsung maintained a steady position with a 19% share in the premium segment, gradually increasing from 17% in 2022. Industry analysts note that rising memory and component costs are reshaping smartphone pricing.