Android widens lead over iOS in global smartphone shipments

Android widens lead over iOS in global smartphone shipments Android, iOS and HarmonyOS: How mobile operating systems rank globally.

Key points

• While Apple's iOS declined from 22% to 20%, android's global share rose from 73% in Q1 2026.
• Android remained the dominant mobile operating system globally in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 75% of smartphone shipments, according to Counterpoint Research.
• Counterpoint Research additionally noted an 11% year-on-year decline in global smartphone shipments during Q2 2026.
• As the report notes, nevertheless, Apple's share has fallen considerably from its peak of 69% in Q4 2025.
• Although its share declined from 63% in Q1, china presented a different picture, with Android leading at 58%.

Notably, the data covers smartphones shipped between April and June 2026, meaning the percentages represent the operating systems' share of shipments during the quarter rather than the total number of devices at present in apply.

Huawei's HarmonyOS retained third place with a 5% share, unchanged from the previous quarter. IOS narrowly leads in US.

In practice, the US remained the strongest market for Apple's iOS. It accounted for 51% of smartphone shipments in Q2. Android followed closely with 49%.

As the report notes, nevertheless, Apple's share has fallen considerably from its peak of 69% in Q4 2025. HarmonyOS strengthens position in China.

Huawei's HarmonyOS ranked second in the Chinese market with 24%, up from 19% in the previous quarter.

IOS accounted for 18%, slightly higher than its 17% share in Q1. Android overwhelmingly dominates India. Android's lead was even more pronounced in India.

Meanwhile, the Google-developed operating system accounted for 91% of smartphone shipments, up from 90% in Q1.

Apple's iOS held just 9%, down from 10% in the previous quarter. Global smartphone shipments decline.

Shipments fell most sharply in the entry-level and mid-range segments, particularly throughout emerging markets.

In short, android widens lead over iOS in global smartphone shipments is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.