Apple's share of the worldwide smartphone market grew slightly in the first three months of 2018, despite Samsung launching the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in March, according to research firms IDC and Strategy Analytics.
Apple on Tuesday reported that it sold 52.2 million iPhones last quarter. Based on that, the research firms estimate that the iPhone accounted for around 15.5 percent of smartphone shipments during the quarter, a slight increase from 14.7 percent in the year-ago period.
While the single-percentage-point growth is modest, the slight gain becomes more impressive when considering that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ launched March 16 in several countries, a full two weeks prior to the quarter ending. Pre-orders of the devices began even earlier on March 2.
Samsung shipped 78.2 million smartphones last quarter, according to the research firms, but its estimated 22.6 to 23.4 percent market share was essentially unchanged from the year-ago quarter, despite the bumped-up Galaxy S9 launch. Last year, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were released April 21.
Samsung continues to lead the smartphone market in shipments, but it sells a variety of handsets at a wide range of price points. Apple typically ships fewer iPhones, but the company captured an estimated 87 percent of smartphone profits in the December quarter, according to research firm Canaccord Genuity.
Apple doesn't disclose iPhone sales on a model-by-model basis, but given iPhone revenue increased 14 percent last quarter despite only a three percent rise in unit sales, the higher-priced iPhone X was likely a big factor.
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.
In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by Juli Clover
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...
The S9 is a complete flop ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/17/iphone-x-35-percent-q4-2017-smartphone-profits/').
When Samsun's own Display division reported lackluster OLED sales for top-tier phones, analysts jumped to the conclusion that that phone was the iPhone X. Now we know it wasn't the case.
Well, Apple just told us the iPhone X is the best selling phone in Apple's lineup since release the best selling phone in China. Apple also has the top 3 best selling phones in Asia.
It's official, Apple is dominating and iPhone X was a HUGE "Superbowl" success. ;) [doublepost=1525273618][/doublepost]
I bought an S9. My fifth Android and first that feels as responsive (snappy) as an iPhone.
6 months after it released, the iPhone X is no longer in production smh.
False, fake news. It's the best selling iPhone every week since release. PRETTY sure they need to make it until the new phones drop. They don't have enough channel inventory until September to meet demand, lol.
iPhone X being out of the lineup in September will have nothing to do with poor sales and everything to do with product positioning.
There will be FaceID phones OVER $999, so it's not because the X was starting at $999. [doublepost=1525275213][/doublepost]
Xiaomi is actually the most interesting part about this chart. They will soon be number 3.
Edit: why did MR cut off the year over year change from the chart? it was there a few minutes ago..
Edit2: and now they added it back, lol
It is interesting, but only as it relates to other budget Android. The "Others" y/y change are clearly the ones being hit by Xiaomi. They don't impact Apple, as predicted.
Remember folks, it's about the software/hardware integration. People that buy Apple phones want iOS so a cheap Android with similar hardware isn't going to compare.
The S9 is a complete flop ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/17/iphone-x-35-percent-q4-2017-smartphone-profits/').
When Samsun's own Display division reported lackluster OLED sales for top-tier phones, analysts jumped to the conclusion that that phone was the iPhone X. Now we know it wasn't the case.
If it is a flop that’s a shame. It’s a pleasure to use and has definite advantages over the X I had. I get much better call quality and the cameras on the S9+ are amazing. It records gorgeous videos in beautiful immersive stereo audio. The display is great and doesn’t give me eye strain due to flicker the way the one on the X did. It retains the headphone jack. It has fantastic water resistance. It comes in gorgeous colors.
It is possible it might start to lag in a few months. But my iPhone 7 Plus did after updates, too. So far it’s going strong for both me and my husband.
It really doesn’t deserve to flop. I was pretty salty on Samsung but the S9+ has reeled me back in again.
I don’t think the X deserved to flop, either. It wasn’t the right choice for me, but for a first generation of a new form factor that is debuting new technology, it seemed pretty polished. If it’s doing well, that’s very encouraging. I hope Apple refines and fixes a few issues it has and does well.
