The iPhone 16 topped global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.
This marked the first time since 2022 that a base iPhone model has led global sales in the period.
While the Pro models maintained their usual strength, it was the base iPhone 16 that drove most of the volume, especially in Japan, and across the Middle East and Africa.
In today’s report, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro came in second and third place, respectively.
The iPhone 16e, Apple’s new lower-cost model, has already made its way into the rankings.
According to recent data from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 16 led the world in smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2025. This was the first time a base iPhone model had led worldwide sales during that time since 2022.
The iPhone 16e performs better than the SE ever did.
Apple also took five of the top ten positions in Q1, according to Counterpoint’s data, which is consistent with a pattern observed in the previous five March quarters. The only other brand to make the list was Xiaomi, while Samsung occupied four positions.
The base iPhone 16 drove the majority of the volume, particularly in Japan and throughout the Middle East and Africa, while the Pro models continued to be strong. The increase in Japan is attributed by Counterpoint to better economic conditions and revised carrier subsidy regulations that favored Apple.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max respectively ranked second and third in today’s report. These models still face challenges in China, where local OEMs like Huawei have gained ground thanks to new government incentives for devices priced under CNY 6,000, or about $833.
Apple’s new, less expensive model, the iPhone 16e, has already entered the rankings. In its first full month of availability, March 2025, it came in sixth place worldwide. Analysts predict that it will perform comfortably better than its predecessor over the course of the upcoming year thanks to its more contemporary design and wider feature set.
Redmi holds its ground as Samsung drops a model.
In comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra finished the quarter in seventh place, two places lower than the S24 Ultra in Q1 2024. Since the S25 lineup debuted later in the quarter, the report points out that a shorter selling window was primarily to blame for the decline.
Strong demand in North America, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region propelled the Galaxy A16 5G to fifth place overall. Additionally, a wider spike in demand for smartphones under $100 helped Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy A06 model jump four places in the global top 10.
The market’s fastest-growing segment in Q1 was the low-end tier, which accounted for almost 20% of all smartphone sales worldwide. The growth, according to Counterpoint, occurred as demand in important emerging markets recovered and supply chain pressures subsided.
