A recent report from Omdia reveals that iPhone shipments in Latin America climbed by 31% year on year in Q1 2026, largely driven by the robust performance of the iPhone 17 and an outstanding 80% rise in shipments in Mexico.
As per Omdia, Samsung retained its top position in the Latin American smartphone arena, delivering 12.9 million units and achieving a 37% market share, reflecting a 9% improvement from the previous year. Xiaomi came in second with 6 million units and a 17% share, while Motorola secured third position with 4.9 million units and a 14% share. HONOR took fourth place with 3.4 million units and a 10% share, and Apple completed the top five with 1.8 million units, which accounts for a 5% market share.
Although Apple saw a slight increase of 400,000 shipments, its 31% yearly growth was the highest among leading brands, closely trailed by HONOR with a 30% gain. Overall, the smartphone market in the region recorded 34.8 million shipments, indicating a modest 3% growth. This growth was constrained by shortages and rising prices of memory components, which impacted the availability of affordable devices, as noted by Omdia’s Senior Analyst, Miguel Ángel Pérez.
The report emphasizes that the top five markets made up 73% of total shipments in Q1 2026, with Brazil and Mexico being the only regions where Apple had a notable presence. In Brazil, Apple secured a 5% market share, while in Mexico, the company rose to third place with a 16% share, thanks to the remarkable performance of the iPhone 17 series.
Looking forward, Omdia predicts that increasing memory costs will become more noticeable in retail prices starting late Q2 2026, especially for devices priced under $300. This scenario highlights the significance of higher-end models for Apple, as the iPhone mainly competes in segments that are less sensitive to price changes.
For more information, the complete report from Omdia can be found [here](https://omdia.tech.informa.com/pr/2026/may/latin-american-smartphone-market-grows-3percent-in-1q-2026-to-34point8-million-units-amid-rising-memory-costs).