Galaxy S26 series sales were up an impressive 15% over the Galaxy S25

It was clear pretty early on when the Galaxy S26 series was launched that it would perform better in the market compared to the model it replaced.

A new report today shows that sales of the Galaxy S26 series were up 15% during the first six weeks after launch compared to the Galaxy S25 series last year.

Counterpoint Research reports that the Galaxy S26 lineup outsold its predecessor by 15% during the first six weeks after launch.

Samsung also saw overall smartphone sales increase by 5% during this period compared to the same time last year. This highlights sustained demand for Samsung at the brand level compared to its rivals, particularly those from China, that continue to face headwinds in the market.

The Galaxy S26 series sold particularly well in developed markets including the United States and South Korea. The lineup achieved double-digit percentage growth in these markets, showcasing strong initial demand for the new flagships.

Sales did show some weakness in markets like China and Japan, but that was offset by the stellar performance in the US and South Korea. Interestingly, demand for the Galaxy S26 series in China and Japan was weaker compared to the Galaxy S25 series. This may indicate that the brand might be losing its shine in those markets.

In Europe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra drove much of the demand during the first four weeks of sale across the continent. This enabled the device to grab the highest share ever within Samsung's Galaxy S portfolio in the region. The fact that Samsung kept prices steady across Europe for the newer model helped increase its appeal for buyers.

Sales have slowed down somewhat after the first six weeks, which is the period where everyone who really wanted to buy a Galaxy S26 phone already did, so it remains to be seen if the new lineup can sustain the momentum into the second half of this year.