As Q3 2025 wraps up, the latest sales data has painted a clear picture of the global smartphone market. Samsung and Apple once again dominate the charts, occupying the majority of the top-selling slots worldwide. From Samsung’s budget-friendly hits to Apple’s premium iPhone 16 holding strong, the competition remains fierce but focused. Let’s dive into the details of which models led sales this quarter and what trends are shaping the market.
Samsung and Apple Reinforce Their Market Stronghold
Samsung and Apple collectively claimed ten out of the top ten spots among the world’s best-selling smartphones for Q3 2025, each brand placing five models on the list. Samsung’s success largely stemmed from its affordable lineup, particularly the Galaxy A-series, while the iPhone 16 continued to dominate as the single best-selling phone globally with a 4% market share – maintaining the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive quarter.
The Indian market played a vital role in Apple’s sustained performance, benefiting from festive season promotions that helped cushion the usual sales slowdown due to the recent iPhone 17 launch.
Changes Within Apple’s Lineup
While the iPhone 16 Pro models saw decreased sales in key markets such as the US and UK, where consumers have shifted their focus to the newer iPhone 17 series, the iPhone 17 Pro Max secured the 10th spot on the Q3 chart and was the best-selling phone in September 2025, despite availability challenges late in the month. Additionally, the more affordable iPhone 16e entered the top five, revealing Apple’s strong foothold among budget-conscious buyers.
5G Phones Take Over the Top Five
For the first time in a Q3 period, every device in the top five was a 5G-enabled phone, underscoring how 5G has become the default technology for buyers worldwide.
Samsung’s Android Budget Stars and LTE Legacy Models
Samsung’s Galaxy A36 and A56 models outperformed their predecessors thanks to enhancements such as new Galaxy AI features, faster charging, and extended software support. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A16 4G and Galaxy A06 remained the only LTE devices within the top 10, retaining dominance across regions including Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, where LTE phones still account for over half of their total sales.
Insights From Foldable Phone Sales
Samsung continued to excel in the foldable smartphone segment, outperforming Apple for the third consecutive quarter despite the strong buzz surrounding the iPhone 17 lineup launch.
Public Opinion on Samsung’s A-Series Success
Poll Results:
- Absolutely – great value for money: 40.63%
- Yes, but the S-series should rank higher: 31.25%
- Not really, they’re just cheap options: 18.75%
- I’m still team iPhone: 9.38%
Total votes: 32
Timing Influences Sales Rankings
Notably absent from the Q3 rankings was the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which launched earlier in Q1 2025. This absence is understandable given the timing, with anticipation already building for the Galaxy S26 Ultra set to debut within the next couple of months. As such, attention naturally shifts toward upcoming flagship releases.
