The global smartphone market saw a shake-up in the second quarter of 2025. New data from Counterpoint Research, a global market intelligence firm, shows Apple has reclaimed the top spot. This covers the months of April through June.
Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup really made its mark. The standard iPhone 16 sold more units than any other smartphone worldwide during that quarter. Close behind were the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro, snagging the second and third positions.
Samsung, a major competitor, landed in fourth place. Their Galaxy A16 5G was the best-selling Android smartphone globally for the quarter. This phone is a budget-friendly option, but it comes packed with features. Depending on the country, it uses either a Samsung Exynos 1300 chip (5 nanometer, 2.4 GHz speed) or a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip (6 nanometer, 2.4 GHz speed). It also promises a generous six years of software updates.
Another Samsung device, the Galaxy A06 4G, secured the fifth spot. This model features a MediaTek Helio G85 chip, built on a 12-nanometer process, offering a maximum processing speed of 2.0 GHz. Users can expect two years of software updates for this phone.
Apple also released a new variant, the iPhone 16e, which took sixth place. This version sheds some premium features like the Ultrawide camera and MagSafe. However, it still uses the powerful Apple A18 chip. This move seems aimed at offering a more affordable price point, reaching a broader customer base. Following this, the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G came in seventh.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was the only Android flagship phone to crack the top ten, landing at number eight. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C 4G reached ninth place. This success was driven by strong sales in regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Rounding out the list at tenth place was the standard iPhone 15. This premium model originally launched in 2023, showing its lasting popularity.
This latest data from Counterpoint Research paints a clear picture. Apple maintains its strong hold on the premium smartphone market. Samsung and Xiaomi, on the other hand, are locked in a tough battle. They are fighting for dominance in the entry-level and mid-range segments worldwide. Samsung has an edge there, thanks to its attractive pricing and useful features.
