Galaxy S26 Ultra becomes the world's best-selling Android phone in Q2

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra was the world's best-selling Android smartphone during the second quarter of 2026, according to market analysis reported by SamMobile from Counterpoint Research. The achievement is notable because the Ultra sits at the expensive end of Samsung's lineup rather than in the mid-range segment that historically drives Android volume. Premiumization has become one of the smartphone market's defining trends as total shipment growth slows.

Consumers who keep their phones longer are often willing to spend more when they do upgrade, particularly when manufacturers promise extended software support. Samsung has also packed the Ultra with features difficult to reproduce in cheaper devices, including advanced camera hardware, S Pen functionality and its newest Galaxy AI software. Strong premium Android sales help Samsung defend territory that Apple has traditionally dominated.

They also reinforce the commercial logic behind seven-year support commitments: a phone costing flagship money needs to remain useful well beyond the typical two-year contract cycle. The result gives Samsung useful momentum as competition from Chinese premium brands intensifies.