The iPhone 16 became the best-selling smartphone in the world.

The iPhone 16 became the world's best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from Counterpoint Research's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. This also marked the return of the base model of the iPhone series to the top spot in the first quarter after a two-year hiatus. Apple maintained a strong presence in the top 10, occupying five positions for the fifth consecutive March quarter. Meanwhile, Samsung introduced one fewer model compared to the same period last year.

The iPhone 16 performed well in Japan and the Middle East and Africa, with Japan showing the largest growth in sales of the base model. Improved economic conditions and revised subsidy rules contributed to Apple's pricing strategy and strengthened the brand's appeal in the Japanese market.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro took second and third place on the list, respectively. The Pro series faced challenges in China due to government subsidies aimed at devices costing less than 6000 yuan, ~ $833, as well as fierce competition in the premium segment from manufacturers like Huawei.

The Apple iPhone 16e debuted successfully, taking sixth place in the global top 10 for March 2025, the first full month of sales. Despite a higher price compared to the SE 2022, the 16e is expected to outperform its predecessor within the first year of sales. This success will be largely driven by significant technological improvements and an expanded feature set.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra took seventh place in the first quarter of 2025, ceding the position previously held by the Galaxy S24 Ultra in the first quarter of 2024. This change was due to the shorter sales period for the S25 Ultra during the quarter. With deeper integration with Gemini, the S25 series also signals Samsung's shift toward a more agentic AI experience, enhancing user productivity and personalization.

The Xiaomi Redmi 14C 4G became the only non-Apple or Samsung model to enter the global top 10. It showed an impressive 43% year-over-year growth compared to the Redmi 13C 4G. Most of its sales were in emerging markets, particularly MEA and LATAM, highlighting Xiaomi's strength in value-oriented segments.

Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research company specializing in products in the technology, media, and telecommunications industries.

Source: Counterpoint Research