Android Dominates Global Smartphone Shipments With 75% Share

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – Android maintained its position as the world’s leading mobile operating system in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 75% of global smartphone shipments, according to Counterpoint Research.

The figures cover devices shipped between April and June and therefore measure operating-system shares of new smartphone shipments rather than the overall installed base of devices currently in use.

Android’s share rose from 73% in the first quarter, while Apple’s iOS slipped from 22% to 20%.

Huawei’s HarmonyOS remained the third-largest mobile operating system globally, holding a 5% share for the second consecutive quarter.

iOS Holds Narrow Lead in US

The United States continued to be Apple’s strongest major market during the quarter. iOS accounted for 51% of smartphone shipments, narrowly ahead of Android at 49%.

However, Apple’s share has dropped significantly from its recent high of 69% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Counterpoint data.

HarmonyOS Gains Ground in China

China showed a notably different competitive landscape. Android remained the market leader with a 58% share, although its position weakened from 63% in the previous quarter.

Huawei’s HarmonyOS strengthened its position, increasing its share from 19% to 24% and moving closer to Android.

Apple’s iOS accounted for 18% of Chinese smartphone shipments, compared with 17% in the first quarter.

Android Dominates Indian Smartphone Market

Android continued to have an overwhelming advantage in India, where it accounted for 91% of smartphone shipments in Q2.

The figure represents a modest increase from 90% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Apple’s iOS share declined from 10% to 9%.

The figures underline Android’s particularly strong position in one of the world’s largest smartphone markets.

Global Smartphone Shipments Fall 11%

Counterpoint Research also reported that worldwide smartphone shipments declined by 11% year on year during the second quarter of 2026.

The sharpest declines were recorded in the entry-level and mid-range segments, with emerging markets experiencing particularly significant weakness.

The shipment slowdown suggests that while Android continues to command the global smartphone market, manufacturers are facing broader challenges in consumer demand, especially among price-sensitive buyers.