Apple proves why it's the king of smartphones in the global market. Although a few advancements came, many people still consider the iPhone 16 the best-selling smartphone worldwide in the first quarter of 2025.
According to recent research, the tech giant didn't just stop at the top; Apple claimed the first four spots on the global best-sellers list with the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and last year's iPhone 15.
It can be said that Apple's strategic upgrades along both its base and Pro iPhone lines are paying dividends, especially as the difference between the models keeps shrinking when it comes to features and performance.
Why the iPhone 16 is a Global Bestseller
According to MacRumors, iPhone 16's popularity is no coincidence. Not like the past years when the Pro Max models topped the charts, Apple's move to outfit the iPhone 16 with the A18 chip, virtually identical to the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, is what has provided the regular model with an enormous performance advantage.
Aside from improved processing, the iPhone 16 also has features such as the Action button and Camera Control button, which were only available for Pro models.
The change has effectively diminished the difference between the regular and Pro iPhones, giving consumers more for their money at a slightly lower price, and strongly enhancing its popularity in several global markets.
Apple Snags Half of the Top 10 Smartphone Spots
From the top 10 best-selling smartphones during Q1 2025, Apple bagged five spots, according to data from Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 16 Plus completed the list at number 10, while the just-released iPhone 16e also generated buzz, reaching sixth place on the March 2025 rankings, the first complete month of its presence in the market.
Priced in the middle tier, the iPhone 16e has an enticing feature set that dwarfs what the iPhone SE had during its first year on the market. It is anticipated that it will outsell its predecessor in total sales on the strength of this updated hardware and Apple's branding ability.
Samsung and Others Fall Behind as Apple Gains Market Share
Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G was the only non-Apple phone to make the top five, coming in fifth. The company's top-tier Galaxy S25 Ultra had to settle for seventh. The remaining top 10 comprised more budget phones from other Android brands, with the only premium Android contenders noticeably absent in the top four.
Surprisingly, the Counterpoint Research report did not specify unit numbers or regional breakdowns but did mention the strong performance of the iPhone 16 in Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
Conversely, Apple's Pro phones underperformed in China because of increasing competition from local brands such as Huawei and rising government subsidies for low-cost smartphones.
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