Apple becomes the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer surpasses Samsung | Find a Way

Apple becomes the world's leading smartphone manufacturer surpasses Samsung

The two companies have been neck and neck for years, but now Apple is winning.
By  on 
Apple's success can be attributed to its "stronger product mix," including the new iPhone 16e phone (pictured). Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

For years, Apple and Samsung have been neck and neck when it comes to global smartphone shipments. But now, the tide has turned in Apple's favor.

According to new data from tech market research firm Counterpoint, Apple was the world's number one smartphone maker in 2025, with a 20 percent market share. Samsung had a 19 percent market share, followed by Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, with a 13, 8, and 8 percent market share, respectively.

Global smartphone shipments
Apple is number one again. Credit: Counterpoint

This is notable as Apple and Samsung had the same market share in 2023 (19 percent) and 2024 (18 percent).

SEE ALSO:Did the foldable iPhone just get leaked? Seems like it.

Counterpoint says Apple had a 10 percent year-over-year smartphone shipment growth, which was the highest among the top five smartphone brands. According to Counterpoint senior analyst Varun Mishra, this was due to Apple's "expanding presence and rising demand across emerging and mid‑size markets, supported by a stronger product mix."

In other words, Apple's strategy of expanding its lineup — the company launched a new entry-level phone, the iPhone 16e, in February 2025 — is working.

Samsung's shipments also grew, by 5 percent year-over-year, but it wasn't enough to catch up with Apple. Counterpoint says the growth was driven by the company's mid-range A series phones, as well as the Galaxy Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 in the premium segments.

Apple is rumored to be planning another large expansion of its phone lineup, which could extend its lead over the competitors, though Samsung is reportedly already hard at work at matching the devices Apple is working on.

Notably, while Apple is expected to debut a foldable iPhone later this year, Samsung is poised to launch its Galaxy Z TriFold in the coming months.

Topics Apple iPhone Samsung

Matthews Martins

Perhaps facing reality head on is the most honest way to try to escape it.

9 Comments

Stay informed!

  1. Thanks to 17 series being strong

    ReplyDelete
  2. how I love my Nokia 3210. Still working after all those years.

    ReplyDelete
  3. there is people who only buy apple and there is a people who will never buy apple

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wont switch to Apple, not a chance. Ive had Samsung's for as long as I can remember.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So people are buying the worst phones on the market

    ReplyDelete
  6. Not in market share

    ReplyDelete
  7. My guess is that Samsung is losing Android market share to Chinese Smartphones.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My brother happily switched from Apple to Samsung.

    ReplyDelete
Post a Comment
Previous Post Next Post