Apple has captured the top position in global smartphone sales for the first quarter of 2025, according to a report from Counterpoint Research. The tech giant from Cupertino saw five of its iPhone models included in the top 10 best-selling smartphones during this period. The iPhone 16, which debuted in 2024, emerged as the leading smartphone, followed closely by the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, which secured second and third places, respectively. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra landed in seventh place, while Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C uniquely represented a non-Apple or Samsung brand in the top 10.
iPhone 16 Dominates Global Market
According to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2025. This marked a significant comeback for Apple’s standard model, which had not held the top slot in the first quarter for two years. The model notably surged in sales across markets such as Japan, the Middle East, and Africa. With five iPhones among the top 10 best-sellers, Apple led global smartphone shipments.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro followed in the second and third places, respectively. Notably, the Pro models constituted nearly 50 percent of Apple’s overall iPhone sales for the third consecutive quarter. The competitive market in China, influenced by government subsidies for devices priced under CNY 6,000 (approximately Rs. 71,000), posed challenges for the sales of the iPhone 16 Pro series.
In addition, the recently launched iPhone 16e found its place in the rankings, landing at sixth among the best-selling smartphones. The iPhone 16 Plus also made the list, securing the tenth position.
Samsung Secures Four Spots in the Rankings
Samsung’s performance saw one less model featured in the top 10 compared to the same timeframe last year. The overall market share for the top-selling smartphones remained steady, though low-end models experienced an uptick in their market presence.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung’s flagship model, took the seventh position on the list, falling from fifth place where the Galaxy S24 Ultra was situated a year prior. The decline in sales can be attributed to a shorter sales window for the phone during the quarter. The Galaxy S25 series accounted for approximately one-fourth of Samsung’s total smartphone sales during its active sales month.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A16 5G performed well in the budget segment, securing fifth place in the rankings, an advancement over the Galaxy A15 5G’s position in Q1 2024.
The Galaxy A06 also climbed the ranks, achieving sixth place and moving up four spots from its predecessor in Q1 of the previous year. This increase is linked to a significant rise in demand for budget smartphones globally. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A55 5G claimed ninth place.
Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C rounded out the top 10 as the only device from a brand other than Apple or Samsung, securing eighth place with most of its sales driven by emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Looking ahead, Counterpoint Research anticipates that the top 10 best-selling smartphone models will maintain a stable market share in the coming months. This resilience is attributed to manufacturers increasingly emphasizing high-end devices that attract consumers with sought-after premium features.
