Apple’s flagship handset has passed its peak popularity. That’s not surprising, given that the iPhone X hit the market more than six months ago. Still, it once could boast of being the world’s best-selling smartphone.
The Galaxy S9+ took its place at the head of the pack. Samsung’s top-of-the-line model debuted early this spring.
The iPhone X was still Apple’s top-selling model in April, the most recent month for which data is available from Counterpoint Research. It captured 2.3 percent of the global smartphone market. Not bad for a device that some people were calling a flop just a few months ago.
The iPhone 8 Plus very nearly tied with the X, and the smaller iPhone 8 followed closely at 2.2 percent. Still, all three of Apple’s 2017 handsets came in just a bit behind the Galaxy S9+ and S9 at 2.6 percent of the market each.
Photo: Counterpoint Research
Counterpoint Research explained the results. “Apple declined month on month due to seasonality,” the research note says. “Apple continues to dominate the global best-selling smartphone models occupying five spots in the list.”
Whether the Galaxy S series will be able to stay in the lead if it regains its reputation for blowing up remains to be seen.
iPhone X sales: Big is big
A clear trend in these numbers is that people love expansive screens. The iPhone 8 Plus’ 5.5-inch display outsells the iPhone 8’s 4.7-inch one, and the X actually has the largest iPhone screen available: 5.8 inches.
And it’s not just Apple. The larger version of Samsung’s newest outsells the smaller edition.
