Apple Tops Global Smartphone Market With 20% Share in 2025, Counterpoint Says
Apple led the global smartphone market in 2025 with a 20% share, as worldwide shipments grew 2% year-on-year, driven by stronger demand and improving economic momentum in emerging markets, according to data released by Counterpoint Research on Monday.
Apple’s performance was supported by solid demand across emerging and mid-sized markets, alongside strong sales of its latest iPhone 17 series, said Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra. The company claimed the largest market share among the world’s top five smartphone brands during the year.
Counterpoint noted that smartphone manufacturers front-loaded shipments earlier in 2025 to get ahead of potential tariff impacts. However, this effect faded as the year progressed, leaving shipment volumes in the second half of the year largely unchanged.
Samsung ranked second globally with a 19% market share, posting modest shipment growth. Xiaomi followed in third place with a 13% share, buoyed by steady demand in emerging markets, the research firm said.
Looking ahead, Counterpoint warned that the global smartphone market could face headwinds in 2026. Research director Tarun Pathak said shipments are expected to soften due to chip shortages and rising component costs, as semiconductor manufacturers increasingly prioritize supplying processors for AI data centres over smartphones.



