iPhone 16 Named World's Best-Selling Smartphone of 2025, Apple Takes 7 of Top 10 Spots [Report]

The iPhone 16 finished 2025 as the world's best-selling smartphone. Apple didn't just take the top spot. It placed seven models in the global Top 10, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. Apple and Samsung were once again the only two brands represented, marking the fourth straight year no other manufacturer cracked the list. Together, the Top 10 devices accounted for 19 percent of global smartphone sales last year.



Even with newer hardware arriving late in the year, the iPhone 16 held onto its lead and ended the year at number one. That result lines up with earlier data that saw the device named the world's best-selling smartphone during the third quarter. The iPhone 17 lineup arrived later but still made an impact. The base iPhone 17 posted the strongest growth of any model on the list, moving up four spots compared to the previous generation.


Sales of the iPhone 17 family were 16 percent higher in its first full quarter than the prior lineup, driven by demand in the U.S., China, and Europe. That late-year performance played a major role in Apple's ability to overtake Samsung in total smartphone volume for the year. Analysts pointed to changes on the standard iPhone 17, including a higher refresh rate display and more RAM, saying the upgrades helped close the gap with Pro models and encouraged more users to upgrade.

Apple also picked up incremental volume from its mid-range offerings. The iPhone 16e appeared on the list, with Japan and the U.S. standing out as its strongest markets as a lower-cost entry into the Apple ecosystem.

The Galaxy A16 5G ended 2025 as the top-selling Android smartphone. Its sales were slightly lower following an earlier-than-expected refresh of the Galaxy A17 5G. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra also appeared in the Top 10, posting more than threefold year-over-year growth in Japan and double-digit growth in India.

Conditions are expected to change in 2026. A memory shortage is projected to drive component costs higher, with entry-level and mid-range phones facing the most pressure. Counterpoint says financing, trade-ins, and the refurbished market could help offset some of the impact, though flagship models are still expected to take a larger share of sales.