The iPhone 17 is the best-selling smartphone of this year (so far)

Hannah Geremia - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 12 May 2026

The iPhone 17 is arguably the best value iPhone to date. Since its launch late last year, its reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with its exceptional performance, increased durability, and most importantly, availability in five delightfully charming pastel shades.

Through Q1, the Apple iPhone 17 maintained upward sales momentum worldwide. According to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the top 10 best-selling smartphones accounted for 25% of global unit sales. The iPhone 17 accounted for 6% these sales, making it the world’s best-selling smartphone for Q1.

While the iPhone 17 earned the top spot, the rest of the line, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro, came in second and third, respectively. The Samsung Galaxy A07 and Galaxy A17 also followed suit, rounding out the top five. The Apple 16 came in 6th place overall, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 and A36 also made the top ten.

While the vibrant orange iPhone 17 Pro Max was my personal top pick, it’s easy to see how the midrange iPhone 17 nabbed the top spot. Counterpoint Research attributes the iPhone 17’s steady stream of sales to the device’s higher base storage and improved display, notably its higher refresh rate.

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, consider the iPhone 17 lineup on a plan.

iPhone 17 plans Singapore

In the market for a new iPhone plan? Here's how much the iPhone 17 will set you back on a plan through Singtel, StarHub, and M1.

#1	M1	M1 50GB Bespoke Contract 50GB data M1 5G network Contract (24 mths) 300 Minutes 300 Messages International Roaming Deal: $100 off any device on new Bespoke Contract Plan $44.06/mth + $491 Upfront Min. cost $1,548.44 Go	$44.06/mth + $491 Upfront Min. cost $1,548.44	Go
#2	Singtel	Singtel Enhanced XS 5G+ 80GB data Singtel 5G network Contract (24 mths) 100 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Enjoy up to $786 off this device including device discount and other special offers $62.00/mth + $657.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,145.70 Go	$62.00/mth + $657.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,145.70	Go
#3	StarHub	StarHub 5G Lite Mobile Plan 150GB data StarHub 5G network Device Payments (24 mths) 1000 Minutes 750 Messages International Roaming Deal: $200 bonus cashback with trade-in + 20% off plan + Extra $50 off device for new lines/port-ins + Up to $160 off Apple Watch $76.13 Min. cost $1,321.12 Go	$76.13 (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,321.12	Go

Otherwise, we’d recommend purchasing the device outright and pairing it with a cheap SIM-only plan.

#1	MyRepublic	MyRepublic 4G Flex 150GB data on M1 4G network 100 Minutes 50 Messages International Roaming Deal: For new number & Non-M1port-in sign-ups $6.00/mth Min. cost $6 Go	$6.00/mth Min. cost $6	Go
#2	Zero1	Zero1 Starter Prime 4G 200GB data on Singtel's 4G network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Get your 3rd month free on Starter Prime + 5G included for 3 months + Roam Malaysia 100GB for 365 days $7.06 Min. cost $7.06 Go	$7.06 Min. cost $7.06	Go
#3	CMLink	CMLink 200GB 4G SIM Only 200GB data on Singtel's 4G network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Get 1 month free credit rebate for port-in + Free 100GB Malaysia roaming for 365 days for new sign-ups only $7.70 Min. cost $7.70 Go	$7.70 Min. cost $7.70	Go
#4	VIVIFI	VIVIFI Roam Value 4G 200GB data on Singtel's 4G network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Limited-Time Offer: Free 1 month (non-Singtel port in) $7.70 Min. cost $7.70 Go	$7.70 Min. cost $7.70	Go
#5	ZYM Mobile	ZYM Mobile Roam Saver 4G 200GB data on Singtel network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Free eVoucher worth $190 $7.77 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $10.77 Go	$7.77 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $10.77	Go
#6	Maxx	Maxx 290GB SIM Only 290GB data on M1 network 500 Minutes 99 Messages International Roaming Deal: Online Exclusive: $7.90 promotional price (usually $9.90) for the first 12 cycles for new sign-ups and number port-ins $7.90 Min. cost $7.90 Go	$7.90 Min. cost $7.90	Go

Hannah Geremia

Digital Content Editor

Hannah Geremia is the Digital Content Editor of WhistleOut Singapore. She’s worked in consumer technology since April 2023 and has since received five award nominations in the IT journalism space. In 2024, she was a finalist for the Best New Journalist award and Best Security Journalist award at the IT Journalism Awards (The Lizzies). In the same year, she earned the Best Technical Writer award at the Consensus IT Writers Awards. Before her time at WhistleOut, she created content for SafeWise Australia. Here she wrote at length about internet safety, cyber security, and consumer tech. Before her time at SafeWise, she worked as a communication and media tutor and freelanced copywriting on the side.

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