Top 5 Best-Selling Smartphones Worldwide in Q1 2017

Strategy Analytics, a trusted research and analytics company which has operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan - has just released a list of the top five best-selling smartphones globally as of the first quarter of 2017 (or from January to March of this year).

According to Mr. Neil Mawston, the company's Executive Director, "Global smartphone shipments reached a robust 353.3 million units in Q1 2017. The top-five most popular models together accounted for 1 in 6 of all smartphones shipped worldwide during the quarter."

Without further ado, here are the handset models that led the entire industry in terms of sales and market share across the planet within the said time frame:

1. Apple iPhone 7

TechPinas Thoughts: Although it practically has the same shell and screen as its predecessors from the past two years, Apple iPhone 7 still captured the fancy of many consumers -- thanks to its enhanced front and back cameras, waterproof construction, and the sleek, new Jet Black color option.

"We estimate Apple iPhone 7 shipped 21.5 million units and captured 6 percent marketshare worldwide in Q1 2017. The iPhone 7 is by far the world’s most popular smartphone model, due to a compelling blend of user-friendly design, extensive supporting apps, and widespread retail availability for the device," said Mr. Juha Winter, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics.

2. Apple iPhone 7 Plus

TechPinas Thoughts: The Apple iPhone 7 Plus is the first model to sport the Cupertino company's Dual Camera module that lets the user zoom in on a subject without losing clarity -- a compelling new feature for most mobile consumers in this age massive content sharing on Facebook and Instagram.

"Apple iPhone 7 Plus, with its bigger screen and higher pricing, shipped 17.4 million units for second place and 5 percent market-share worldwide in Q1 2017. Apple today accounts for two of the world’s top five smartphone models," Mr. Winter added.

3. OPPO R9s

TechPinas Thoughts: Crafting devices that give consumers great value for money, Chinese handset maker OPPO was able to penetrate the Top Handset Sellers list by focusing their devices' build quality, low light imaging performance, beautification mode for selfies, and intense-3D-game-ready internal hardware all while keeping their releases fairly affordable.

Mr. Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, shared, "OPPO R9s shipped 8.9 million units for third place and 3 percent marketshare worldwide in Q1 2017. OPPO is largely unknown in the Western world, but its brand is wildly popular in China and growing rapidly across India. The R9s is OPPO’s flagship 4G device with key features such as dual-SIM connectivity and fingerprint security."

4. Samsung Galaxy J3 2016

TechPinas Thoughts: The most affordable smartphone model in this list, Samsung Galaxy J3 2016 allowed users to experience some key features of the TouchWiz interface, which is also on far more expensive models, without having to break the bank.

According to Ms. Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, "Samsung was still gearing up for the launch of its new Galaxy S8 portfolio, but managed to get two models in the top five during Q1 2017. The Galaxy J3 captured 2 percent global smartphone market-share and fourth place, while Galaxy J5 took 1 percent global share to become the world’s fifth most popular model. Samsung’s J3 and J5 are midrange devices that sell very well across Europe and Asia and they helped to offset Samsung’s troubles with the Note 7 battery fiasco in the quarter."

5. Samsung Galaxy J5 2016

TechPinas Thoughts: This model continues to sell well here in the Philippines thanks to its large display, high-resolution selfie camera in front with Soft LED flash for low light conditions, real metal rim, and decent battery life.

Do you own any of these five smartphones? What can you say about your device? Why do you think many users opted to get it over other smartphone options out in the market? Let us know your thoughts via our Facebook comments section below.