Apple’s iPhone 16 emerged as the world’s best-selling smartphone in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. For the fourth consecutive year, Apple and Samsung dominated the Top 10 smartphone rankings, with the combined models accounting for 19 percent of total global smartphone sales.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 Series Drive Strong Sales
Research analyst Harshit Rastogi highlighted Apple’s dominance, noting that the iPhone 16 widened the gap with other models, while the iPhone 17 series recorded 16 percent higher sales than its predecessor in its first full quarter. The base iPhone 17 proved particularly popular, thanks to upgrades such as higher refresh rates, increased RAM, and larger storage, making it comparable to Pro variants.
Additionally, Apple’s iPhone 16e contributed to further growth by offering an accessible entry point into the Apple ecosystem. Key markets for this model included Japan and the US, where sales remained strong throughout the year.
Samsung Maintains Strong Presence in Top 10
Samsung captured three positions in the Top 10, with the Galaxy A16 5G standing out as the best-selling Android smartphone of 2025. Despite the earlier-than-expected launch of the Galaxy A17 5G slightly impacting A16 5G sales, the device offered an attractive balance of hardware and software capabilities.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra continued Samsung’s flagship success, tripling its share in Japan and achieving double-digit growth in India. Analysts noted its advanced AI features, media and productivity enhancements, and exclusive functions like AI Select and Audio Eraser, which helped narrow the sales gap with Samsung’s A-series.
Flagship Smartphones Set to Gain Market Share in 2026
Looking ahead, memory shortages are expected to impact entry-to-mid-segment smartphone sales, particularly in emerging markets like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. This trend is likely to further boost flagship devices’ market share, while replacement cycles, trade-ins, financing options, and the refurbished market may offset some of the supply challenges.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
