Samsung is the most-used phone brand in South Africa by a wide margin. Browsing data for September 2026 puts it at 49.75% of mobile devices, ahead of Apple at 18.57%, according to figures from StatCounter reported by Shattered.io.
The September 2026 ranking
| Brand | Share of mobile devices |
|---|---|
| Samsung | 49.75% |
| Apple | 18.57% |
| Honor | 8.80% |
| Huawei | 8.04% |
| Xiaomi | 3.85% |
| Oppo | 2.88% |
The remaining roughly 8% covers other brands, including vivo. StatCounter measures devices used to browse the web, not phones sold, so treat it as a guide to usage rather than sales.
What the sales trend says
The same report says the South African market grew about 17% year on year in the second quarter of 2026. Samsung shipments rose about 15%, while Xiaomi fell about 30% and Oppo about 25%. It also says South Africa makes up roughly 60% of Honor’s sales volume in the region, which helps explain its strong third place.
What it means when you buy
| Brand | Main strength | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Widest price range, from budget Galaxy A phones to foldables | The exact model, RAM and storage |
| Apple | Strong resale value | Storage size, since it cannot be expanded |
| Honor and Huawei | Often more hardware for the money | App support and nearby service centres |
| Xiaomi and Oppo | Can be good value | Falling shipments, so check warranty and repair options |
Disclaimer: Market figures come from StatCounter data as reported by a third party and measure devices used to browse the web, not phones sold. Figures change monthly. This article is for general information only and is not purchasing advice. Brand names belong to their owners and are used for information only.