Apple performs better than the broader U.S. smartphone market in the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research data cited by multiple outlets. In the U.S., Apple’s smartphone sales rise about 1.3% year-over-year, while the overall U.S. smartphone market declines roughly 5.7% in the same period. Android sales fall more sharply, with reported year-over-year declines of about 14.4%. Counterpoint attributes Apple’s outperformance largely to continued demand for the iPhone 17 lineup. Another reported factor is timing in rival launches: Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series launches later, in March, which affects the quarter’s comparisons. Apple’s market share is reported to increase by around 4% year-over-year. The shift appears across major carriers: iPhone accounts for about 75% of sales at Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, while Android accounts for about 25%. Separately, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook, speaking around the company’s April 30 earnings call, describes extremely strong iPhone demand and associated supply constraints, including chip and memory cost pressures later in 2026. He also says Apple has gained market share based on information referenced from IDC.