April 10 (Reuters) - Apple led global smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2026, rising 5 percent compared to the same period last year, despite a decline in overall shipments due to a shortage of memory components, Counterpoint Research said on Friday.

The company added that global smartphone shipments fell six percent compared to the previous year, while tensions in the Middle East also affected consumer confidence.

The company added that Apple topped the smartphone market in the first quarter for the first time with a market share of 21 percent.

The company attributed this growth to Apple's outstanding position, integrated supply chain and performance in China.

Apple recorded a 23 percent increase in smartphone sales in China during the first nine weeks of 2026.

Counterpoint reported that Samsung's shipments fell six percent year-on-year in the quarter, registering a market share of 20 percent, as the delayed launch of the Galaxy S26 and weakness in the low-priced phone sector impacted sales volume.

Counterpoint explained that Xiaomi maintained its third position with a market share of 13 percent, but recorded the largest decline among the top five brands.

Shelby Jain, an analyst at Counterpoint, said the decline in total shipments "is primarily due to memory companies prioritizing AI data centers over consumer electronics."