iPhone 16 Becomes World’s Best-Selling Smartphone in Q1 2025, Apple Dominates Global Rankings

Apple's iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone in the world during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. This marks the first time in two years that a base model iPhone has taken the top spot in a first-quarter sales ranking, signaling Apple’s sustained global momentum and strong consumer demand across multiple tiers.

Apple’s Continued Market Dominance

Apple secured five of the top 10 best-selling smartphone models for the fifth consecutive March quarter, reinforcing its position as a global market leader. According to Counterpoint, the iPhone 16 saw particularly strong performance in Japan and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) regions.

“Japan recorded the highest growth in base variant sales,” the report notes, attributing this surge to favorable economic conditions and revised subsidy regulations that helped position Apple’s pricing strategy and broader ecosystem as especially attractive.

iPhone Pro Models Hold Strong Globally

Right behind the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro claimed the second and third spots in the global rankings. Although they faced headwinds in China, largely due to government subsidies favoring sub-CNY 6,000 (~$833) devices and heightened competition from premium local brands like Huawei, Apple’s Pro line remained resilient. Counterpoint confirmed that Pro models made up nearly half of all iPhone sales for the third consecutive quarter, highlighting sustained interest in high-end features.

iPhone 16e Makes a Strong Debut

Apple’s February-launched iPhone 16e made an impressive entry, landing in sixth place globally during its first full month on the market. The 16e has already outpaced early expectations thanks to a more advanced feature set compared to the older iPhone SE (2022).

“Despite a higher price, the 16e is expected to outperform its predecessor in its first year, driven by significant technological advancements and broader appeal,” the report stated.

Samsung Holds On With A-Series, S25 Ultra Slips

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra landed in seventh place, down from the fifth position the S24 Ultra held a year ago. The report attributes this drop to a shorter sales window for the S25 Ultra during Q1.

However, Samsung still performed well in the budget and midrange markets. The Galaxy A16 5G ranked fifth, with a particularly strong showing in North America, which accounted for one-third of its total global sales. Additionally, the Galaxy A06 saw healthy growth as demand for affordable smartphones surged, with low-end models now making up nearly 20% of total global smartphone sales.

Xiaomi Breaks Through with Redmi 14C

Xiaomi was the only brand outside Apple and Samsung to crack the top 10. The Redmi 14C 4G posted a 43% year-over-year growth over its predecessor, with most sales driven by emerging markets. Counterpoint called this a testament to Xiaomi’s strength in value-driven segments, especially as consumers continue to seek out affordable yet capable smartphones.

Looking Ahead

Despite ongoing tariff concerns and market volatility, Counterpoint expects the top 10 smartphone rankings to remain stable. As OEMs continue shifting toward high-end, feature-rich devices, consumer attention is expected to stay focused on premium offerings, reinforcing the dominance of Apple and top-tier Android flagships.

With Apple expected to debut iOS 26 and its next-generation hardware—including the rumored foldable iPhone and AI-powered devices—later this year, the brand's momentum may only accelerate further as 2025 progresses.