Apple tops global smartphone market in 2025, says report

World-leading smartphone company Apple has always been popular, but this year the newly introduced iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air series have given it another push to accelerate revenue.

Counterpoint Research said on Monday, January 12, 2026, that global ‌smartphone shipments rose 2% year-on-year ‌in 2025, lifted by stronger demand ‌and economic momentum in emerging markets.

As reported by Reuters, Apple led the market with a ‍20% share, the largest ‍among the top ‌five brands, supported by solid demand in emerging ‍and mid-sized markets and strong sales of the iPhone 17 ⁠series, said Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra.

Manufacturers pulled ‌shipments forward early in the year to get ⁠ahead ‍of tariffs, but the effect eased as 2025 progressed, leaving second-half volumes largely ‍unaffected, the firm said.

Samsung ranked ‌second with a 19% share on modest shipment growth, while Xiaomi placed third with a 13% share, backed by steady demand in emerging markets.

Furthermore, the global smartphone market is expected to soften in 2026 ‌amid chip shortages and rising component costs, as chipmakers prioritize AI data centers over handsets, Counterpoint research director Tarun Pathak said.