Apple overtakes Samsung to lead European carrier smartphone sales in Q2, per report

9to5mac.com Oct 7, 2026

Apple overtakes Samsung to lead European carrier smartphone sales in Q2, per report

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Counterpoint Research reported that Apple surpassed Samsung as the top smartphone brand in Europe’s carrier channel during Q2 2026. Carrier sales fell 4% YoY, less than the 11% decline in the open market, with total smartphone sales down 8%. Apple’s share rose from 33% to 37%, while Samsung fell from 39% to 34%. Vivo and Motorola also grew, with vivo posting a 90% YoY increase. The shift reflects higher-end device preference and memory‑cost pressures on low‑end models.

💡 Why It Matters

· The carrier‑channel advantage underscores Apple’s resilience amid a tightening low‑end market, positioning it to capture a larger share of contract‑based sales as memory costs continue to squeeze competitors.

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Apple Watch Series 12 review: Upgraded where it was needed

Apple released the Watch Series 12, featuring an S11 chip and a new Health Sensing System that measures heart rate every five seconds and HRV every five minutes, including overnight recovery analysis. The aluminum model now uses Ceramic Shield 2, 60 % tougher than previous Ion‑X glass, while titanium and ceramic options return. The watch retains standard fitness, sleep, and app capabilities, adds a Readiness score to guide training, and offers interchangeable bands and an always‑on display. The Series 12 is positioned as the best non‑Ultra Apple wearable.

💡 The upgraded sensors give athletes precise, real‑time data, enabling smarter training decisions. The stronger display protects users who wear the watch in harsher environments, broadening its appeal.

9to5mac.com · Oct 7

Apple may have to pay an annual lump sum to the EU…

The European Commission has drafted a revised digital services tax that would require large corporations, including Apple, Google, and Meta, to pay an annual lump‑sum contribution. The new proposal expands the €100 million revenue threshold and applies to all sizable firms, not just digital‑service providers, aiming to raise EU tax revenue while avoiding a U.S. trade retaliation that followed earlier proposals. The EU seeks consensus among its 27 member states before setting a specific rate, and the plan remains untested in practice.

💡 The tax could reshape how tech giants allocate profits across Europe, potentially tightening fiscal policy on digital economies. It also signals the EU’s resolve to secure a fairer tax framework amid shifting U.S. trade dynamics.

appleinsider.com · Oct 7

iPhone Duo has a book-like two-page Quick Look layout

Apple’s iPhone Duo introduces a book‑style Quick Look feature, allowing documents to display as a double‑page spread when the device is held slightly folded. The update, revealed through iOS 27 betas by code leaker pdfu, mirrors the spread view seen in Apple Books and the e‑reader screen. Users still access Quick Look via the Files app, with the preview opening fully in the Preview app. The Duo will be configurable with finance options from October 12, pre‑orders begin October 16, and shipping starts October 23.

💡 The new spread view enhances reading ergonomics, positioning the Duo as a hybrid tablet‑phone that caters to document‑heavy workflows.

9to5mac.com · Oct 7

Apple may have to officially support Apple Intelligence removal on Macs to…

Apple Intelligence, a new AI feature integrated into macOS 27, can consume up to 14 GB of storage, prompting users to seek ways to disable it. An indie developer released RemoveMacAI, a tool that removes the AI models, but Apple warns it may affect system stability. The debate has intensified as some organizations forbid AI tools, potentially limiting Mac sales if Apple cannot provide an official removal option. Apple currently offers limited device‑management restrictions but no full disablement.

💡 The lack of an official AI‑removal feature could force buyers to forgo newer Macs, pressuring Apple to rethink its AI strategy.

appleinsider.com · Oct 7

LG is just the start, Apple is still working on its own…

Apple is collaborating with LG to develop a suite of smart‑home devices, including indoor and outdoor security cameras, a floodlight camera and a smart deadbolt, which will be marketed under the LG brand. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman clarified that these co‑developed products are distinct from Apple’s own “privacy‑centric” home camera, slated for release in 2027. The Apple‑led camera, codenamed J450, has been in development since at least August 2025 and is expected to function as a sensor hub, using low‑frame‑rate AI analysis to detect people, pets and trigger HomeKit automations without storing video. The device is described as a cylindrical “metal giant chapstick” and may be unveiled alongside a Home Hub at an October 13 event.

💡 Apple’s separate, AI‑driven camera underscores its push to embed privacy‑first sensing across the home, differentiating its ecosystem from conventional surveillance solutions.

appleinsider.com · Oct 7

New Apple Home accessories are coming thanks to an unusual partnership with…

Apple is slated to unveil a new Apple Home event on October 13, featuring an Apple TV, an upgraded HomePod mini, and the long‑rumored Apple Home Hub. Bloomberg reports that Apple has partnered with LG to develop a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera. These accessories will carry the LG brand, mirroring past Apple collaborations on iPhone peripherals. The partnership signals Apple’s push into a broader smart‑home ecosystem, expanding its hardware lineup beyond the HomePod.

💡 By aligning with LG, Apple taps a proven hardware partner to accelerate its smart‑home rollout, potentially setting a new standard for integrated home security and convenience.