iPhone 16 Leads Global Smartphone Sales in Q3 2025 Amidst Apple and Samsung’s Market Dominance
In the third quarter of 2025, the global smartphone market witnessed a significant shift, with Apple and Samsung each securing five spots in the top ten best-selling smartphones worldwide. This data, sourced from Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, underscores the continued dominance of these two tech giants in the industry.
Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones in Q3 2025:
1. iPhone 16
2. iPhone 16 Pro
3. iPhone 16 Pro Max
4. iPhone 16e
5. Galaxy A16 5G
6. Galaxy A06
7. Galaxy A36
8. Galaxy A56
9. Galaxy A16 4G
10. iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 emerged as the best-selling smartphone globally, capturing a 4% share of the market. This marks the third consecutive quarter that the iPhone 16 has maintained its leading position. The device’s sustained popularity is attributed to several factors:
– Strong Demand in India: Festive promotions in India significantly boosted sales, as consumers took advantage of discounts and offers during the festive season.
– Recovery in Japan: The Japanese market showed a steady recovery, contributing to the iPhone 16’s robust sales figures.
– Carrier Promotions in Developed Markets: Expanded carrier promotions in regions like the United States and Europe made the iPhone 16 more accessible to a broader audience.
While the iPhone 16 series continued to perform well, the introduction of the iPhone 17 series in September 2025 influenced consumer behavior. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, despite limited availability towards the end of the quarter, secured the tenth position in the top ten list and was the best-selling model in September 2025. This surge is partly due to consumers who purchased iPhones during the COVID-19 period now seeking upgrades. The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s new features, such as a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom and a vapor-chamber cooling system, have been significant draws for consumers.
On the other hand, Samsung’s presence in the top ten was dominated by its Galaxy A-series devices, including the Galaxy A16 5G, Galaxy A06, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A56, and Galaxy A16 4G. These models have been particularly popular in emerging markets due to their affordability and feature-rich offerings. Notably, none of Samsung’s flagship models made it to the top ten list this quarter. This trend suggests a growing consumer preference for mid-range smartphones that offer a balance between performance and cost.
The overall smartphone market in Q3 2025 saw a 4% year-over-year growth, driven by the increasing demand for 5G devices and the expansion of AI integration in smartphones. Apple’s shipments increased by 9% year-over-year, elevating its market share to 18%. The newly launched iPhone 17 series recorded record pre-bookings across several regions, including India, Japan, Western Europe, and Southeast Asia. Samsung maintained its position as the world’s largest smartphone maker, capturing a 19% market share with a 6% year-over-year rise in shipments. The strong sales of its Z-series foldables and S-series flagships contributed to this performance, while the A-series continued to perform steadily in mid-tier segments.
Xiaomi retained the third position with a 14% market share and a 2% year-over-year growth. The company’s strength in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America was driven by broader carrier partnerships, targeted promotions, and stronger omnichannel retail expansion, particularly in the budget and mid-range categories.
In China, Apple’s smartphone shipments rose by 0.6% year-over-year to 10.8 million units, despite an overall market decline of 0.6%. This growth was driven by the value-oriented base model of the iPhone 17 series, which appealed to cost-conscious consumers. Apple secured a 15.8% market share, making it the second-highest smartphone vendor in the country during this period.
The data from Q3 2025 highlights the evolving dynamics of the global smartphone market. While premium devices like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 Pro Max continue to attract consumers seeking high-end features, the popularity of mid-range devices, particularly Samsung’s A-series, underscores a significant segment of the market that prioritizes affordability without compromising on essential features.
As the year progresses, it will be interesting to observe how these trends develop, especially with the anticipated releases of new models from major manufacturers and the continuous integration of advanced technologies like AI and 5G into smartphones.
