IPhone 16e helps Apple lead global smartphone market share

According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research, Apple took the number 1 position in global smartphone market share for the first time in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 19%. This success was achieved thanks to the presence of the mid-range iPhone 16e model.

The report also said that Apple's expansion strategy in emerging markets and double-digit growth in India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and Japan helped it take the top spot. The global smartphone market maintained steady growth in the first quarter of 2025, increasing by 3% year-on-year.

The decline in developed markets was offset by strong subsidized demand in China and a recovery in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. "January 2025 sales were particularly strong, driven by subsidies in China. The momentum continued with launches such as Samsung's Galaxy S25 and Apple's iPhone 16e," said Ankit Malhotra, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.

However, the report also warned that global smartphone market share is expected to decline throughout 2025 despite first-quarter growth, mainly due to new US tariffs and escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies - the US and China.

Samsung followed Apple in second place (18% market share). Despite a slow start, the Korean manufacturer has recovered strongly thanks to the Galaxy S25 series and A-series phones. Sales of the Galaxy S25 Ultra also recorded a significant increase.

Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and Vivo continued to grow steadily, taking third and fourth place respectively. OPPO ranked fifth, while Huawei - China's largest manufacturer in Q1/2025 - also recorded global growth.