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 this plan + 30% off Bespoke Contract for 24 mths $44.07/mth + $491 Upfront Min. cost $1,548.68 Go to Site	$44.07/mth + $491 Upfront Min. cost $1,548.68	Go to Site
#2	Singtel	Singtel Enhanced XS 5G+ 80GB data Singtel 5G network Contract (24 mths) 100 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Enjoy up to $836 off this device including device discount, $50 off exclusively online and other special offers $62.00/mth + $760 Upfront Min. cost $2,248 Go to Site	$62.00/mth + $760 Upfront Min. cost $2,248	Go to Site
#3	StarHub	StarHub 5G Lite Mobile Plan 200GB data StarHub 5G network Device Payments (24 mths) 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages International Roaming Deal: $100 trade-in bonus $82.13 Min. cost $1,327.12 Out of stock	$82.13 (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,327.12	Out of stock

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

#1	Zero1	Zero1 Jumbo Value 201GB data on Singtel's 4G network 301 Minutes 101 Messages Deal: Free 5G trial for 6 months $7.70 Min. cost $7.70 Go to Site	$7.70 Min. cost $7.70	Go to Site
#2	VIVIFI	VIVIFI Roam Value 4G 200GB data on Singtel's 4G network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming $7.70 Min. cost $7.70 Go to Site	$7.70 Min. cost $7.70	Go to Site
#3	MyRepublic	MyRepublic 4G Vibe 300GB data Network: M1 150 Minutes 50 Messages International Roaming Deal: New sign up: $7.20/mth for first 6 mths, thereafter $7.90/mth $7.90/mth Min. cost $7.20 Go to Site	$7.90/mth Min. cost $7.20	Go to Site
#4	ZYM Mobile	ZYM Mobile Roam Easy 4G 300GB data on Singtel network 300 Minutes 100 Messages International Roaming Deal: Free eVoucher worth $190 $8.70 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $11.70 Go to Site	$8.70 + $3 Upfront Min. cost $11.70	Go to Site
#5	Maxx	Maxx 500GB SIM Only 500GB data on M1 5G network 500 Minutes 50 Messages International Roaming Deal: Free 5G is valid for 6 months $10.00 Min. cost $10 Go to Site	$10.00 Min. cost $10	Go to Site
#6	SIMBA Editor's Pick	SIMBA Editor's Pick SuperRoam 10 SIM Only 500GB data SIMBA mobile digital network (5G) Unlimited National Calls & SMS International Roaming $10.00 Min. cost $10 Go to Site	$10.00 Min. cost $10	Go to Site

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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