Global smartphone shipments are expected to reach 1.25 billion units in 2025, marking a 1.5% increase compared to 2024, according to the latest report from International Data Corporation (IDC). This growth is primarily attributed to the remarkable demand for Apple’s iPhone 17 series.
Apple is projected to sell over 247 million iPhone 17 units in 2025, fueled by strong holiday quarter sales and increasing demand in emerging markets and China.
IDC’s China Monthly Sales data highlights that the iPhone 17 secured Apple the leading position in the Chinese smartphone market for October and November consecutively. The unexpectedly high demand also enabled iOS to surpass Android and HarmonyOS in annual growth rates.
This strong performance has revised Apple’s forecast in China from a projected 1% decline in smartphone shipments for 2025 to an anticipated 3% growth. Similar positive trends are seen in the US and Western Europe markets.
However, IDC anticipates a 1% decline in smartphone shipments in 2026. This drop is mainly due to increasing memory component costs, which are expected to raise the average smartphone selling price to $465. Additionally, rumors of Apple delaying the launch of the base iPhone 18 from fall 2026 to early 2027 may further impact 2026 shipment figures negatively.
