The global smartphone market in early 2026 turned out to be increasingly top-heavy. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone globally in Q1 2026, grabbing 6% of all global smartphone sales on its own. 

The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro followed right behind in second and third place, meaning Apple owned the top three spots on the list entirely.

Senior analyst Harshit Rastogi says the iPhone 17 outperformed its predecessor by a clear margin. The base model got meaningful upgrades this time with more storage out of the box, a higher-resolution camera, and a faster screen refresh rate. This narrowed the gap between the standard and Pro models, which seems to have pushed more buyers toward the cheaper option. 

Sales in China and the US grew by double digits year-over-year. South Korea was even better, where sales tripled compared to the previous generation.

Android’s budget segment dominates the market

On the Android side, Samsung dominated with five spots in the top ten, all from its Galaxy A budget lineup. The Galaxy A07 4G was the top-selling Android phone of the quarter, driven by demand in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Samsung is now promising six years of software updates on these devices. 

The Galaxy S26 Ultra didn’t crack the top ten, though Samsung says it opened stronger than the S25 Ultra did.

The only Chinese brand to make the list was Xiaomi, with the Redmi A5 landing at number ten. It’s also the cheapest device on the list and has held steady demand in emerging markets since launch.

All in all, the top ten phones accounted for 25% of all global smartphone sales, the highest share ever recorded for a first quarter. Two things explain that: iPhone 17 demand stayed strong, and a memory chip shortage pushed up component costs, which squeezed Android manufacturers trying to compete at lower price points.

Counterpoint’s Karn Chauhan says the overall phone market is likely to shrink in 2026, with the budget segment taking the hardest hit. Manufacturers seem to know this already, as most are shifting resources toward higher-end products rather than racing to sell volume.

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The post 10 Best Selling Phones in Q1 2026: iPhone 17 Lineup Sweeps Top Three Positions appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple is still a fair distance away from unveiling the 2027-launching iPhone 20. Yet, the iPhone has been the focus of supply chain leaks for quite some time, which is hardly a surprise given the quantum of change that Apple is reportedly bringing to the proverbial table. Now, a well-known tipster has tried to wholly demystify the iPhone 20 by pairing feature leaks with plausible speculation. Apple iPhone 20 to sport an all-glass look, replete with solid-state buttons, a quad-curved display, and hefty use of under-display tech, and topped off with a massive battery The Weibo-based tipster Instant Digital has […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-iphone-20-tipped-to-pack-a-6000mah-battery-with-reverse-wireless-charging-dwarfing-every-iphone-apple-has-ever-shipped/

Intel has placed a massive order at Taiwanese manufacturers to secure advanced packaging equipment, which will be used for its EMIB plans. Intel Bets Big on EMIB, As The Company Has Placed A Huge Order To Secure Advanced Packaging Equipment From Taiwan EMIB, the advanced packaging solution and alternative to TSMC's CoWoS, has been making headlines for some time now. The packaging technology is gaining lots of momentum as potential customers line up to utilize the tech for their upcoming chips, mainly for AI purposes. This demand has now led Intel to go after Taiwanese manufacturers to secure the equipment […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/intel-places-huge-advanced-packaging-equipment-order-signaling-huge-emib-interest/

Apple has once again raised the possibility of making its chips at Fabs besides TSMC, as it is in early talks with Intel and Samsung. Intel & Samsung Emerge As Potential Fix To Apple's Supply Constraints Affecting Its Consumer Chips Bloomberg has just dropped some big news surrounding Apple, which is in early talks with Intel and Apple to secure additional supply for its consumer lineup. The report highlights that Apple has held "exploratory" discussions with the two semiconductor firms as it aims to diversify the production of its chips. The company has so far relied upon TSMC for its […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-eyes-intel-samsung-fabs-in-early-stage-talks-a-rare-crack-decade-long-tsmc-loyalty/

The memory shortage faced by Apple can be avoided as the company can purchase DRAM quantities in bulk for a multitude of products, but one area where the Cupertino firm may continue to struggle is chip supply. As TSMC is operating at its maximum capacity by fulfilling 3nm silicon orders for AI customers, it’s adversely affecting iPhone 17 Pro Max shipments to the point that a customer who has been searching around for a flagship unit is unable to find one in a U.S. state. Low A19 Pro chip supply could also affect the second-generation MacBook Neo shipments, as Apple will […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-17-pro-max-shipments-affected-due-to-low-chip-supply/

TSMC is turning into a victim of its own success as the world's preferred chip foundry, leaving its heretofore prized customers such as Apple in a bind of sorts as they suddenly find themselves crowded out by AI hyperscalers. In its frustration, Apple is now reportedly exploring the possibility of dividing up its silicon load between Samsung, Intel, and TSMC rather than remaining largely TSMC-exclusive. Apple is looking for contingencies by tentatively probing Intel and Samsung as additional vectors for manufacturing its custom chips According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has already held "early-stage talks" with Intel for using its […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-quietly-courts-intel-and-samsung-for-its-most-critical-chips-as-tsmcs-advanced-nodes-remain-choked-under-ai-demand/

When market distortions become so extreme that the underlying economics stop making sense, retreat is the only recourse. And, this is exactly what Morgan Stanley is now betting on in relation to Apple's ongoing bid for uncontested market share supremacy via a combination of price freezes and strategic hoarding of memory resources. Morgan Stanley believes Apple will not be able to sell the upcoming iPhone 18 variants at the same prices as those of their equivalent iPhone 17 counterparts Apple's emergent strategy to freeze the prices of its products amid the ongoing memory-driven turmoil first became evident when it refused […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-held-the-line-on-macbook-pricing-while-microsoft-hiked-surface-prices-but-the-iphone-18-is-where-the-streak-reportedly-breaks/

StarTech.com has introduced a new USB4 docking station designed to simplify connectivity across multiple platforms. Announced on April 30, 2026, the Driverless Dual 4K USB4 Docking Station (208N-USB4-DOCK) works seamlessly with macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. It is positioned as an industry-first solution that enables native dual-display support on MacBooks without requiring drivers or additional software, making it especially useful for mixed-device environments.

Key Innovation

The standout feature of this dock is its ability to support dual displays on MacBooks through USB4 without any drivers. This addresses a long-standing limitation where Mac users often needed expensive Thunderbolt docks for multi-display setups. The dock delivers near Thunderbolt-level performance and is compatible with newer MacBook models, including M3, M4, and M5 devices, ensuring broader usability for professionals.

Performance and Connectivity

The dock uses a single USB-C connection with 40Gbps bandwidth and supports up to 100W Power Delivery for charging. It includes a range of ports such as multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and dual DisplayPort 1.4 outputs. It can drive up to two displays simultaneously, supporting up to 6K resolution at 60Hz in dual mode or 8K at 60Hz for a single display. High refresh rate support like 4K at 144Hz is also available on compatible systems.

Enterprise-Focused Design

Built with enterprise use in mind, the dock eliminates the need for software installation, reducing deployment time and support issues. It also includes a screw-locking USB-C cable that helps prevent accidental disconnections, making it suitable for shared workspaces and IT-managed environments.

Availability and Pricing

The docking station is priced at $143.99 and is available through major retail and distribution channels. It offers a cost-effective and streamlined alternative to traditional docking solutions, especially for organizations managing diverse device ecosystems.

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In an era of unprecedented memory-led chaos in the global smartphone sphere, Apple lobbed nothing short of a bombshell during its earnings call this week, declaring that TSMC's advanced node capacity - not memory - was the main bottleneck for its products. Think about this. As per conservative estimates, Apple's iPhones are all set to consume 2.4 exabytes of memory this year! And yet, the Cupertino tech giant declares it is not memory-constrained, while seemingly capping the prices of its products. This declaration is nothing short of a gauntlet for Chinese OEMs: Apple is coming after your market share! Apple's […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-quietly-scoops-up-any-available-lpddr5-supply-while-freezing-iphone-prices-pushing-chinese-oems-to-kill-their-ultra-flagships/

Apple observes stringent quality control measures so that its premium products not only stand the test of time regarding durability but also minimize hardware failures caused by manufacturing defects. Unfortunately, when you’re dealing with millions of units being shipped in a calendar year, there’s always a chance that an owner ends up with an ‘odd one out’ and, sadly, an M5 MacBook Pro that was only two days old was completely dead when a spark formed due to the machine’s hinge movement. The M5 MacBook Pro’s failure will definitely be an interesting case for Apple’s engineering team, but a YouTuber has […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/m5-macbook-pro-hinge-movement-causes-spark-resulting-in-failure/

The standard iPhone is typically the default choice for most buyers, offering a balance of new features and approachability. However, if recent supply chain reports are accurate, the base iPhone 18 might represent a shift in how Apple handles its non-Pro lineup.

Between a rumored change in the release schedule and a few specific hardware compromises, the standard iPhone 18 is shaping up to be an interesting, if slightly segmented, device.

Here is a look at what the rumors currently suggest for the base iPhone 18, and what it means for anyone planning to upgrade.

Updated Launch Timeline

For years, consumers have expected a new lineup of iPhones every September. But Apple is reportedly adjusting its strategy for the iPhone 18 cycle. Instead of releasing all four models at once in the fall of 2026, the company is expected to focus its September event entirely on the higher-end devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, the Pro Max, and a rumored foldable model.

If you are waiting for the standard iPhone 18 or the more affordable iPhone 18e, reports indicate you will need to wait until the spring of 2027. Industry analysts suggest this split is largely driven by supply chain costs, particularly the rising price of memory. By spacing out the launches, Apple can prioritize its higher-margin Pro models first.

Shift in Display Priorities

The iPhone 18 is expected to keep the 6.3-inch display size and the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate introduced with the iPhone 17. However, the underlying technology might take a slight step back compared to the Pro models.

According to supply chain leaks, the base iPhone 18 will use Samsung’s M12+ OLED material, which is an iterative version of the panel used in the iPhone 14 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro models will move on to the newer M16 material.

The primary difference here isn’t necessarily how the screen looks, but rather how efficiently it operates. Older OLED panels require more power to achieve the same brightness levels. While the iPhone 18 will benefit from Apple’s highly efficient new 2nm A20 chip, some of those battery life improvements might be offset by the older display technology.

There are rumors that all three iPhone 18 models will feature a smaller Dynamic Island cutout. However, conflicting reports suggest it may be limited to the Pro models.

12GB RAM Standard Across All Models

Perhaps the best upgrade coming to the base iPhone 18 is its memory. Apple is reportedly standardizing 12GB of RAM across the entire iPhone 18 lineup, a notable increase from the 8GB found in previous base models.

The reasoning behind this is straightforward: on-device artificial intelligence. Apple Intelligence features, particularly the anticipated iOS 27 Siri upgrades powered by new language models, require significant memory to run smoothly without relying on cloud processing.

By giving the base iPhone 18 enough RAM to handle these tasks, Apple is ensuring the device will remain capable and responsive for years to come.

Cameras and Cost-Cutting Measures

On the camera front, the standard iPhone 18 is expected to retain a dual 48-megapixel rear setup (main and ultrawide), skipping the variable aperture lens rumored for the Pro models. However, the front-facing camera is slated for a welcome upgrade to 24MP, which should improve the clarity of selfies and video calls.

To keep production costs manageable, Apple might also simplify the Camera Control button. Current rumors suggest the company could remove the capacitive touch layer, relying solely on pressure sensors to register inputs.

It is a minor change that most users may not even notice, but it highlights Apple’s effort to maintain the phone’s expected $799 starting price amid rising component costs.

The Overall Picture

Apple is drawing a clearer line between its standard and Pro models. The base iPhone 18 seems designed to be a practical, capable device focused on delivering Apple’s latest software and AI features, rather than pushing the boundaries of hardware.

If you don’t mind waiting until the spring of 2027, the inclusion of 12GB of RAM and the new A20 chip should make it a reliable choice, even if it misses out on the most advanced display technology.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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The post iPhone 18: Everything We Know So Far appeared first on Gizmochina.

The iPhone 20 will switch to a design that Apple has never attempted before, involving a quad-curved display that, when combined with the company’s Liquid Glass UI, introduces a seamless visual appearance that offers an illusion of a bezel-less form factor. As expected, developing this display is no easy feat, which is why only one manufacturer is taking on this responsibility. However, an exclusive OLED deal could make things expensive for Apple as it will require a premium that’s being paid to the supplier. Also, if things weren’t bad enough, Apple CEO Tim Cook has warned that its DRAM stockpile is […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-iphone-20-could-be-ludicrously-expensive-due-to-dram-and-oled-deal/

Just a day after warning about Mac Studio and Mac mini supply remaining constrained for a number of months ahead, Apple has apparently discontinued the base Mac mini globally, as advanced node capacity and memory price inflation emerge as potent bottlenecks. Apple discontinues the base Mac mini as TSMC's advanced node capacity and the ongoing memory inflation begin to bite The base variant of the Apple Mac mini, which sported the M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB of storage, and a retail price of $599, has now been pulled from the configurator in the US and other key global markets. Do […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-discontinues-the-256gb-mac-mini-just-a-day-after-warning-of-a-memory-apocalypse/

Cook warned that Apple is facing supply-chain headwinds from RAMageddon that could impact its business.

Apple said it will be supply-constrained on Mac mini, Studio, and Neo in the next quarter, too.

Apple lost its bid to pause court-ordered App Store payment changes, keeping external purchase links in place as its case with Epic heads toward the Supreme Court.