After 14 years, Apple is once again on track to surpass Samsung as the global leader in smartphone shipments. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple is expected to ship over 243 million iPhones in 2025, capturing an estimated 19.4% share of the global smartphone market. Samsung, currently the market leader, is projected to ship 235 million units, securing an 18.7% share.
The iPhone 17 series has been a major success, with shipments in Q3 growing by 9% compared to last year’s iPhone 16 series. Additionally, demand for the iPhone 17 series in the first four weeks after its US launch was 12% higher than the previous generation. In China, demand increased by 18% over the same period.
Apple is also benefiting from the smartphone upgrade cycle, as consumers who purchased devices during the COVID-19 pandemic now seek replacements. The gap between Apple and Samsung is expected to widen, with Apple projected to maintain its position as the global smartphone shipment leader through 2029.
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