Premium Smartphones Capture Record 29% of H1 2026 Sales as Mid-Range Prices Climb
Updated
Updated · Android Authority · Aug 7
Premium Smartphones Capture Record 29% of H1 2026 Sales as Mid-Range Prices Climb
3 articles · Updated · Android Authority · Aug 7
Summary
Counterpoint said smartphones priced above $600 took a record 29% of global sales in H1 2026, up from 25% a year earlier, while premium unit sales rose 5%.
Soaring memory and component costs hit cheaper phones hardest, pushing mid-range prices closer to flagship levels and making older, base, or discounted premium models look more attractive.
OEMs are reinforcing that shift with trade-ins, financing, and buyback programs, including Samsung’s expanded Galaxy Forever, to lower the upfront cost of high-end devices.
Apple and Samsung still dominate the segment, but OPPO’s premium sales jumped 69% year over year and vivo’s rose 20%, suggesting broader global demand for longer-lasting flagship phones.