The global smartphone market in Q3 2025 was dominated by Apple once again, with the iPhone 16 securing the top spot as the best-selling smartphone worldwide. This is the third straight quarter that the model has stayed at number one, proving its strong demand even a year after launch.
According to Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 16 captured 4 percent of the total smartphone volume, helped by festive-season sales in India and a steady rise in demand in Japan. Despite the arrival of the iPhone 17 series, the older model continued to perform well and avoided the usual sales dip.
Apple claimed the top four positions on the global list. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max came in second and third, although both saw a slight slowdown as more buyers in major markets like China, the US, and the UK chose the newer iPhone 17 models. A surprise entry was the iPhone 16e, which ranked fourth. Even with fewer premium features, it attracted customers who simply wanted an affordable iPhone experience.
In total, Apple had five smartphones in the top 10 list, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max securing the tenth position. This shows the company’s strong hold over both premium and mid-premium buyers.
Samsung was the only other company to feature in the top 10 list. Interestingly, none of its flagship Galaxy S or Galaxy Z foldable phones made the cut. Instead, all five Samsung entries came from the more affordable Galaxy A-series. The Galaxy A16 5G ranked fifth, followed by the Galaxy A06, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A56, and Galaxy A16 4G.
Experts believe that mid-range smartphones will continue to grow in popularity. With more models expected to include built-in generative AI features, this segment will become more competitive and offer better value to customers. These improvements may help bridge the gap between mid-range and premium devices in the coming years.
The Q3 2025 rankings show a clear trend: Apple leads the premium market strongly, while Samsung dominates the mid-range category—together shaping global smartphone demand.
