The global smartphone market began 2025 on a strong note, with shipments increasing by 1.5% year-over-year (YoY) in the first quarter, according to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC). Total shipments reached 304.9 million units, marking a positive start for the year. Samsung and Apple retained their positions as the top two players in the market, with Samsung continuing to lead the pack, followed by Apple. While Apple’s performance reached new heights with its best Q1 shipment numbers ever, the company faced a decline in China, an important market for its products.
Samsung maintained its leadership with a 19.9% market share, shipping 60.6 million units. The company’s strong performance was driven by the success of its Galaxy S25 series, as well as the popular Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 models. IDC’s report indicates that Samsung’s strategic focus on its flagship and mid-range smartphones helped it achieve significant growth in the first quarter of 2025, despite the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Apple also saw impressive results, recording 57.9 million units shipped and grabbing 19.0% of the market share. The company enjoyed a 10% YoY growth compared to Q1 2024, though its performance in China saw a decline. This was due, in part, to the exclusion of iPhone Pro models from the Chinese government’s subsidy program, which affected its overall sales in the region. Despite this, Apple’s performance globally was stellar, marking its best first quarter ever in terms of units shipped.
Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone brands continue to hold strong positions, with Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo securing spots in the top five. Xiaomi, in third place, saw a 2.5% increase in shipments, moving 41.8 million units and benefiting from government subsidies in China. Oppo, holding fourth place, saw its market share at 7.7%, though its international shipments dropped. Vivo rounded out the top five with 7.4% market share, driven by strong demand for affordable devices and its V series smartphones, which performed well in emerging markets.
