Counterpoint: iPhone 17 topped worldwide smartphone sales during Q2

9to5mac.com Aug 26, 2026

Counterpoint: iPhone 17 topped worldwide smartphone sales during Q2

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 26, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Counterpoint Research reported that Apple dominated Q2 2026 smartphone sales, with the iPhone 17 leading the world’s best‑selling list at 6% of global units. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro secured second and third places, while the iPhone 17e ranked seventh and the iPhone 16 fell to tenth. Samsung occupied the remaining top‑10 spots, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G in fourth. Apple’s units grew 5% YoY, driven by strong demand in India, Japan, MEA, and South Korea. The top‑10 models accounted for 26% of total sales, up 2% from last year.

💡 Why It Matters

· Apple’s sustained lead amid a shrinking market underscores its pricing strategy and product appeal, setting a benchmark for competitors navigating component shortages.

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This iPhone Ultra teaser is almost as good as Apple launch videos

A YouTuber, John Ternus, released a 65‑second concept video titled “Introducing iPhone Ultra” that closely mimics Apple’s polished launch style. The clip showcases a foldable iPhone Ultra in realistic settings, highlighting its hinge, Touch ID, dual‑app multitasking, and a floating exploded view. While the device’s open‑screen use appears awkward and the front display is absent, the video’s color grading, lighting, and pacing echo Apple’s Vision Pro releases. The teaser is expected to precede Apple’s official September 9, 2026 launch.

💡 The video demonstrates how closely third‑party creators can replicate Apple’s production quality, potentially shaping consumer expectations before the official reveal.

9to5mac.com · Aug 27

Apple says these three things can speed up the new Spotlight indexing

Apple released a support document outlining three actions users can take to accelerate Spotlight’s indexing on iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices. The guide arrives as the company prepares iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, and explains that the new indexing engine builds a searchable catalog for apps, files, messages, photos, contacts and settings, which powers Spotlight and Siri AI. Because the index is created on each device, the initial pass can last hours or days for users, though subsequent updates are faster. Apple advises keeping the device plugged in, ensuring a Wi‑Fi connection, and limiting activity during the run. Users can quickly monitor progress via a bar in the Spotlight/Siri window on Macs or a notification in Settings on iPhones and iPads.

💡 Faster indexing reduces the downtime users experience after major OS upgrades, letting them rely on instant search and AI features right away.

appleinsider.com · Aug 27

How to make Mac Downloads & other Dock folders easier to use

Apple’s macOS treats Dock items as aliases, meaning removing the Downloads folder from the Dock does not delete files. Users can restore the convenient Fan view by dragging the Downloads folder from the Home directory back into the Dock. After repositioning, right-click the icon, select View Content As, and choose Fan. Sorting by Date Added ensures recent files appear prominently. This setup distinguishes Dock Stacks, which link to specific folders, from Desktop Stacks that organize loose desktop files. While Fan view offers quick access to recent downloads, it lacks search capabilities and struggles with large file counts. Grid and List views provide better scalability for extensive collections. Downloads folders differ from the Recents view, which tracks opened files across the system. Users can also add Screenshots or project folders to the Dock for streamlined access. iCloud Drive shortcuts work similarly but may require downloading files before opening them offline.

💡 Restoring the Downloads folder to the Dock reclaims a critical productivity shortcut that many users accidentally remove, streamlining access to recent files without cluttering the desktop. This simple configuration adjustment leverages macOS’s alias system to maintain file integrity while optimizing workflow efficiency for frequent downloads and temporary project management.

au.lifehacker.com · Aug 27

This Is the Best Ad-Free Alternative to Apple Maps

Apple Maps officially launched advertisements in search results this week, fulfilling a plan announced in October. This move marks a significant shift, as most mainstream navigation applications, including Google-owned Waze, now incorporate ads into their user experience. Consequently, finding a reliable, ad-free navigation tool has become increasingly difficult for consumers. Organic Maps emerges as a prominent alternative for users prioritizing privacy and an ad-free environment. This free, open-source application operates entirely offline and does not track user location data. It supports essential features such as turn-by-turn directions, cycling and hiking routes, public transit maps, and dark mode. The app utilizes OpenStreetMap data, which allows global community contributions. While its database may lack the robustness of Apple or Google’s proprietary data, user reviews on the iOS App Store remain generally positive. Organic Maps lacks advanced features like restaurant reviews or Street View, positioning itself strictly as a navigation-first tool rather than a comprehensive replacement for major mapping platforms.

💡 The normalization of ads in core utility apps forces users to choose between convenience and privacy. Organic Maps proves that functional, open-source navigation can exist without compromising user data or displaying commercial interruptions.

tomsguide.com · Aug 27

I’ve been writing about the Apple Watch for the past decade: Here’s…

Apple’s upcoming "Surprise and Shine" event is scheduled for September 9, where the company is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. While major design overhauls are not anticipated, reports indicate a focus on internal upgrades, including enhanced health and fitness-tracking capabilities and improved processor speed. Rumors suggest the introduction of high blood pressure notifications and potential AI-driven health coaching features. Additionally, there are hints that the Ultra 4 may feature a slightly thinner and smaller design, addressing user concerns about the current model’s bulk and comfort. The author, a long-time Apple Watch reviewer, highlights the Ultra 3’s superior GPS accuracy but notes its discomfort for nightly wear. These upcoming updates aim to refine the user experience through technological advancements rather than significant aesthetic changes, with the event serving as the primary platform for these announcements.

💡 A shift toward internal performance and health metrics over external redesigns suggests Apple is prioritizing functional utility and medical-grade monitoring for its wearable ecosystem. This strategy directly addresses user fatigue with bulky hardware while positioning the device as a more sophisticated health companion.

appleinsider.com · Aug 26

How to watch Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone Ultra launch live

Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra, on September 9 at 10 a.m. PDT. The event marks the first major product launch under new CEO John Ternus and follows Apple’s prerecorded format with an in‑person segment at Apple Park. Viewers worldwide can stream the presentation via Apple’s website, Apple TV app, or YouTube, with a replay available afterward. The launch also includes updates to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

💡 Apple’s entry into the foldable‑phone market signals a strategic shift toward competing with Samsung and Google’s established offerings, potentially reshaping the premium smartphone landscape.