Android strengthened 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 latest figures show that Android increased its share from 73% in the first quarter to 75% in Q2. The gain further highlights the platform’s strong position across the global smartphone market.
Apple’s iOS, meanwhile, saw its share decline during the same period. Its portion of global smartphone shipments fell from 22% in Q1 to 20% in Q2 2026.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS maintained its third position globally with a 5% share. The operating system’s share remained unchanged compared with the previous quarter.
The latest figures show the continued dominance of Android among newly shipped smartphones. With a 75% share, Android accounted for roughly three out of every four smartphones shipped worldwide during the April-June period.
Android’s broad presence across different smartphone brands and price segments remains one of the major factors behind its global reach. Unlike Apple’s iOS, which is limited to Apple devices, Android is used by numerous smartphone manufacturers around the world.
This allows Android-powered smartphones to compete across a wide range of markets, from affordable devices to premium flagship models. The broad device ecosystem gives Android a significant presence in both emerging and established smartphone markets.
Apple’s 20% share nevertheless represents a substantial portion of global smartphone shipments. The decline from 22% in the previous quarter indicates that iPhones accounted for a smaller share of newly shipped smartphones during Q2.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS continued to hold a 5% share globally. While its position remains well behind Android and iOS, the unchanged figure indicates that Huawei maintained its reported level of representation in the global shipment market.
It is important to understand what the Counterpoint Research figures actually measure. The percentages refer to smartphones shipped between April and June 2026 and do not represent the share of smartphones currently being used worldwide.
Shipment figures measure new devices entering the market during a specific period. Installed-base figures, on the other hand, measure devices that remain in active use, regardless of when they were purchased.
As a result, the 75% Android figure should not be interpreted as meaning that 75% of all smartphones currently in use worldwide run Android. It specifically represents Android’s share of smartphone shipments during Q2 2026.
The quarterly change also provides an indication of how the competitive landscape shifted during the period. Android gained two percentage points, while iOS lost two points and HarmonyOS remained stable.
Smartphone operating systems continue to play an important role in consumer choices. Features, app ecosystems, hardware options, software updates and pricing all influence which platforms consumers select when purchasing new devices.
For manufacturers, operating system trends can also influence product strategies and competition. Android’s large ecosystem provides manufacturers with flexibility, while Apple continues to compete through its tightly integrated hardware and software experience.
The Q2 2026 data therefore reinforces Android’s position at the top of the global smartphone shipment market. Its increase to 75% demonstrates continued strength, while iOS remained the second-largest platform and HarmonyOS held third place.
As the smartphone industry moves through the remainder of 2026, future quarterly shipment data will show whether Android can maintain its increased share or whether competitors manage to regain some of the ground lost during the second quarter.
