iPhone X Tops Global Smartphone Hit List in Q1 2018

Despite several reports suggesting “lackluster demand” for the iPhone X, Apple’s most expensive smartphone model to date is proving to be very popular. According to latest estimates from IHS Markit, Apple shipped 12.7 million units of its flagship phone in the first three months of 2018, making the iPhone X the most popular phone in the world.

While the number of shipped units is considerably lower than what Apple achieved with the iPhone 7 Plus a year earlier (18.3 million), it is still remarkable that the ultra high-end (and expensive) iPhone X beat every other model on the market. Samsung’s most popular model was the Galaxy Grand Prime Plus, an entry-level model that costs less than $150.

As our chart illustrates, Apple and Samsung dominate the top 10 list for the first quarter of 2018. IHS cites the delay of new model releases as a likely reason for the lack of phones from Chinese manufacturers on the list.