# Premium phones reach record 29% of global sales 2026-08-06T21:46:39+00:00 | Technology | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Global smartphone revenue rose 7% year on year to a record $109 billion in the second quarter of 2026, even as shipments fell, The Hindu reports, citing Counterpoint Research. Average selling prices rose 8%, helped by higher memory costs and continued demand for premium devices. Premium smartphones, defined as those priced at $600 or more wholesale, made up a record 29% of global sales in the first half of 2026, up from 25% a year earlier, The New Indian Express reports. Apple’s premium-segment share fell to 65% from 74% in H1 2022 as Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo gained ground in China. Apple still recorded 9% annual growth, driven by the iPhone 17 range. ## Coverage - newindianexpress.com - thehindu.com Tags: Apple, China, Counterpoint Research, premium phones, smartphones Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/premium-phones-reach-record-29-of-global-sales-in-h1-2026/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/premium-phones-reach-record-29-of-global-sales-in-h1-2026/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.