The iPhone 16 leads global smartphone sales in Q1 2025 and, to be honest, no one should be surprised anymore. Apple is winning by doing less — and somehow, that’s working everywhere.
According to new data from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 16 has grabbed 19 percent of the market. This is the first time Apple has ever started the year on top. Q1 has always been Android territory, particularly Samsung’s, thanks to the annual Galaxy S launch cycle.
Not this time.
Apple didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. The iPhone 16 was an incremental update at best, but it still outsold everything else. That success came not just from the US or Europe. Apple’s growth was driven by markets like Japan, India, the Middle East and Africa. In Japan, changes to subsidy regulations and a shift in economic outlook helped Apple clean up. In India and Africa, it is no longer just selling old stock at discounted prices. It is winning hearts and wallets.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra only reached seventh place. That is two spots lower than the S24 Ultra managed in Q1 last year. It is not a disaster, but it is not the trajectory Samsung wants as Apple creeps into Android strongholds.
Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C was the only phone outside of Apple and Samsung to make the top ten. Its strength came from markets in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It is also a sign that the budget segment is rising fast. Phones priced under 100 dollars accounted for nearly 20 percent of global smartphone sales this quarter. That may not be exciting from a tech innovation perspective, but it is where the numbers are going.
Apple’s newest “budget” offering, the iPhone 16e, also made waves. It launched in March but still managed to break into the global top ten for the month. It is priced higher than the iPhone SE 2022, but offers a more modern design. Early signs suggest it will outsell the SE within its first year.
Despite the positive start to the year, analysts warn that the market may not maintain this momentum. Global smartphone sales rose by 3 percent in Q1 2025, but economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty could limit further growth.
For now, Apple is on top. Samsung is on notice. The battle is far from over.