Apple took the top spot in global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, as per recent information obtained from Counterpoint Research. The company topped the charts for the very first time during the first quarter, capturing 19 percent of the global market, and we believe that the recently launched iPhone 16e has a lot to do with it. While the iPhone 16e is one of the major reasons, the company also introduced Apple Intelligence last year, which could also be another reason why the company secured the number one position.
iPhone 16e aids Apple in taking the top spot in global smartphone shipments
Despite economic uncertainties, Apple greatly benefited from the iPhone 16e launch, especially in emerging markets. Apple launched the iPhone 16e last month, which means that the demand for the device will continue to rule in the next quarter. The iPhone 16e comes with all the software features that the 'Pro' models brag, and considering the device's $599 price tag, it is a pretty good deal. It replaced the SE lineup and is the perfect device that will give you access to all the Apple Intelligence features.
Samsung took the second spot this year with a market share of 18 percent, continuing its fall from 21 percent in Q1 2023. The South Korean tech giant started slow this year, possibly due to the late launch of the new Galaxy S25 lineup, but gradually improved its numbers by March. Xiaomi took the third spot with a 14 percent market share, which is an improvement over the 13 percent share during the same time the previous year.
Xiaomi is quite popular in the Chinese market, and it has benefited from the expansion of its division into other emerging markets as well. Vivo and Oppo took the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, as the companies also operate in the same market as Xiaomi and benefited greatly from domestic demand.
While the market grew by 3 percent in the first quarter of this year, Counterpoint Research predicts a slight decline for the rest of the year. The United States government has also introduced hefty tariffs on imports from China, India, Vietnam, and other regions, which could increase smartphone prices in the region. This could ultimately lead to reduced demand, thus hurting global sales. It remains to be seen where the tariffs lead the industry in the long run, but so far, the market does not favor a price shift.
