Samsung's phone delay handed Apple an opening for a big iPhone year

Apple’s iPhone outperformed the US smartphone market in Q1 2026, helped by Samsung’s delayed Galaxy S26 launch and Apple’s steady pricing. Counterpoint Research reports US iPhone sales volume rose 1.3% year‑over‑year while the overall market fell 5.7%. Samsung pushed its S26 launch from the usual January to March 11, giving Apple a sales window. Apple’s iPhone 17 momentum — including a reported 22% growth in iPhone sales around the holiday period — and a $599 price for the iPhone 17e (with an added 256 GB) contrasted with Samsung’s $100 price increases on base and Plus S26 models and the removal of a 128 GB entry tier. Analysts say if Apple holds prices and promotions, it could maintain an edge despite rising memory costs.