Apple Overtakes Samsung as World's Top Smartphone Maker in 2025 [Report]

Apple has unseated Samsung to become the world's top smartphone maker by volume in 2025, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. The shift caps off a year where the overall market grew 2 percent, with Apple securing a 20 percent share to end Samsung's long reign at the top.

While Samsung slid to second place with a 19 percent share, Apple managed to grow its shipments by 10 percent year-over-year—the highest growth rate among the top five brands.



The data suggests Apple's momentum came from a mix of new hardware and expanding reach. Senior Analyst Varun Mishra noted that the launch of the iPhone 17 series drove significant traction in the fourth quarter, while the iPhone 16 continued to sell well throughout the year in markets like India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. A pandemic-era upgrade cycle also reached its tipping point, pushing millions of users to replace aging devices.


Apple's lead widened significantly during the holiday season. In the fourth quarter alone, the company accounted for one-fourth of all global smartphone shipments, achieving its highest-ever share for the period. The performance lines up with earlier projections that Apple was poised to claim the top spot for the first time in fourteen years.

Samsung still posted 5 percent growth for the year, supported by its mid-range Galaxy A series and premium foldables like the Galaxy Fold 7. Xiaomi held onto third place with 13 percent of the market, followed by vivo and OPPO.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint has lowered its expectations for 2026, forecasting a 3 percent decline in shipments due to a looming supply crunch. As chipmakers prioritize AI data centers, component costs—specifically for memory—are climbing. However, analysts believe premium players like Apple and Samsung are better positioned to absorb the hit than smaller rivals, echoing earlier reports that rising costs will disproportionately impact the lower end of the market.


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