iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1
Around one in five smartphones sold worldwide was an iPhone, the latest data from Counterpoint claims. Perhaps tariffs and other troubles gave smartphone customers that little bit of motivation they needed to dig deep and purchase a new device. Apple’s iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1, the analysts claimed.
That’s the first time since 2022 Apple has achieved that mark and may well reflect the extent of pent up demand Apple has unleashed as it migrates to AI inside. (Troubled as that journey seems to be). Supported by the iPhone 16e, Apple took five of the top ten smartphone model slots in the quarter, even as the overall industry grew.
Helped by the iPhone 16e launch in a non-traditional quarter and continued growth and expansion in its non-core markets, Apple took the #1 spot in Q1 2025, despite the challenges faced in its biggest markets. While sales in the US, Europe and China were either flat or declining, Apple recorded double-digit growth in Japan, India, Middle East and Africa, and Southeast Asia, said Counterpoint.
The optimism may be short-lived, they warn. “Economic uncertainties and trade war risks started mounting, especially towards the end of the quarter. We continue to analyze changes in policies and are currently projecting the market to decline YoY in 2025, despite growth in Q1,” they said.
Samsung followed Apple with 18% market share. Xiaomi gained market share while vivo began to accelerate growth in China. OPPO reached fifth place, while Huawei grew in China.
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