Apple iPhone captured seven of the top 10 best-selling phones in 2025

[Shawn Knight]

TL;DR: Apple and Samsung dominated the mobile landscape in 2025. The two companies were responsible for the top 10 best-selling handsets for the fourth consecutive year. Combined, these models were responsible for 19 percent of all smartphone sales last year.

Apple's iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone last year by a wide margin. The iPhone 16 Pro Max captured second place, narrowly beating out the standard iPhone 16 Pro. The newer iPhone 17 Pro Max, launched in September, was the fourth best-selling smartphone in 2025 despite its relatively late arrival.

Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A16 5G rounded out the top five, followed by the Galaxy A06 4G. The iPhone 17, iPhone 15, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the iPhone 16e complete the list, in that order.

Oddly enough, last year's top 10 list nearly mirrors what happened in 2024. In fact, the top five slots are comprised of the exact same models in the same order – just one generation newer. If nothing else, consumers are seemingly consistent in their buying habits.

Counterpoint research analyst Harshit Rastogi noted Apple's strong performance in the top 10. Indeed, Cupertino accounted for seven of the top 10 best-selling smartphones, just as they did the year prior.

Rastogi highlighted the solid performance of the iPhone 17 series, which achieved 16 percent higher sales than its predecessor series in its first full quarter on the market. The analyst said this was driven primarily by initial demand in key markets including the US, Western Europe, and China.

Another newcomer, the iPhone 16e that arrived in February, also resulted in additional sales. Priced at $599, it is the most affordable iPhone in Apple's current lineup. According to Rastogi, the iPhone 16e offers the latest capabilities – with some strategic trade-offs – and grants easy entry into the iOS ecosystem.

As for Samsung, the Galaxy A16 5G proved to be the best-selling Android smartphone of the year thanks to a solid blend of hardware and software capabilities. One thing that may have negatively impacted A16 5G sales was the earlier-than-anticipated launch of the A17 5G.

Looking ahead, the ongoing global memory shortage is expected to throw a wrench into the mobile market with a big impact on entry-level and mid-range sales. When it's all said and done, flagship smartphones could have a banner year and contribute more to the overall market than in previous years.

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Apple iPhone captured seven of the top 10 best-selling phones in 2025

 

[Alpine7995]

It’s fascinating how stable the smartphone market has become. The top 10 list barely changing year over year makes it clear consumers have settled into two default choices: iPhone or Galaxy, pick your size.

Samsung’s mid-range phones quietly doing so well is always a good reminder that most of the world isn’t chasing $1200 flagships though.

 

[daffy duck]

Interesting given how much better value the Chinese phones are now. However concerns must remain about support, pre-installed malware and now prices are rising fast so they aren't such good deals anymore. Oppo Find X9 Pro is ~ $2300 in Australia almost same price as iPhone 17 Pro Max. You can get them cheaper from HK, but that's a pain if you have issues.

 

[p51d007]

Shoot, not sure how it is in Europe and other places, but in America, walk into any carrier or big box store and you think you've walked into an Apple store. The carriers PUSH iphone & Samsung phones. Oh, you'll find a few other brands, but they will push the "big two". On a network side, I'm sure the less brand phones you have on your network makes it easier for the network operator.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Interesting given how much better value the Chinese phones are now. However concerns must remain about support, pre-installed malware and now prices are rising fast so they aren't such good deals anymore. Oppo Find X9 Pro is ~ $2300 in Australia almost same price as iPhone 17 Pro Max. You can get them cheaper from HK, but that's a pain if you have issues.

Apple has the longest support window of any phone at 8 years, although Google now matches that with their tensor phones. They also have the best support, they're the only brand I can go to their store and get genuine repairs straight from the manufacturer. And the prices for new batteries are better then what android phones get.

They also hold their resale value far better then any android phone, for those who like to upgrade.

 

[Rapob]

Apple has the best support, 7 years on average. First now, Google and Samsung tries to match that (we will see)

Resell value on iPhone is next level too. I used many different brands, but a flagship Android bought on launch loses like 80-90% of its value over 2 years. An iPhone retains like 40-50% after 2 years. Huge demand for used iPhones. Low demand for Androids.

Reason? Android flagships starts high (example, Samsung flagships is at Apple level in terms of price), and progressively gets cheaper and cheaper, before they start their firesale and the next model comes out.

Apple don't do firesales (they don't need to), so price stay somewhat high on used phones.