The iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the UK
The iPhone 7 made up 15% of the total smartphone sales in Q3 2017
The iPhone 7 was the bestselling smartphone in the UK during the third quarter of 2017, with the company taking 34.4% of the total smartphone market share in the period.
Samsung also performed well, taking 34% of the smartphone share, while Huawei snatched 13% and Alcatel 4% of sales according to Counterpoint's research into the bestselling smartphones in Q3.
However, Counterpoint's research also revealed the phone market as a whole remained pretty flat, mostly down to feature phone sales reducing by 8% year on year.
"The Apple iPhone 7 was the bestselling smartphone and contributed to 15% of the total smartphones sold in Q3 2017," research director Peter Richardson, said. "Samsung's Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus were second and third. Samsung also has a strong range across all price bands and it, together with Huawei, provided a strong volume platform that was resilient to attack from most other brands."
He added that although Apple launched a new generation of devices at the end of the quarter, which would usually see a slow-down of a manufacturer's growth, premium device sales continued to grow. This meant Apple was able to dominate the market, contributing the highest market share of all manufacturers.
"The UK is one of the strongest markets for Apple globally and this is reflected in the premium segment's share of the market overall," Richardson said.
Samsung also performed better than some of the more lower-end manufacturers, taking almost a third of the premium smartphone market, confirming it's pretty much a two-horse race at the more expensive end of the mobile pricing scale.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2026 report - the leading resource for IT decision-maker insight on priorities and investment areas in AI, security and more.

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.
Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.
As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.
-
ITPro is 20!We take a look back on the past two decades since ITPro launched...
-
Cyber experts issue alert after two ransomware groups team up on ‘unprecedented’ threat campaignNews The tie-up includes a new model of industrialized ransomware deployment that significantly lowers the barrier to entry for cyber crime
-
The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Enterprise Edition will make life easier for IT departments – and they'll love the battery lifeReviews A powerful, yet reliable laptop, but the real pull is the Enterprise features that ease deployment and remote management
-
AMD and Samsung forge closer ties on AI memory, potential foundry dealNews The pair are forging closer ties on chip development and future foundry opportunities
-
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is almost an all-in-one solution for video production – its stabilization capabilities are out of this worldReviews A big, beautiful slab of a smartphone with a cutting-edge privacy display and video capabilities for all your creative needs
-
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a superb budget smartphone with premium features – though I found its predictive text frustratingReviews A big bright display, all-day battery, and some super premium cameras make this a superb handset for office bods
-
The excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is slightly overpricedReviews A brilliant lightweight tablet with a superb screen, but the competition makes it look expensive
-
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has more power, more AI, and much more battery life than its predecessorReviews A wonderful slab of technology, packed with AI features, and the battery life is fantastic – very much a tablet worthy of the name, 'Ultra'
-
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 review: Almost the perfect big-screen laptopReviews The Book 5 Pro 360 is a laptop you slowly get accustomed to, rather than one that feels right from the word go.
-
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ review: Possibly the best Android tablet for businessReviews With good performance, AI features and an exceptional screen, the Tab S10+ is the best Android tablet out there, if not quite the best tablet overall