By Phong Ngo  February 1, 2026 | 06:38 pm PT
Apple’s iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in 2025, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
Apple and Samsung dominated the global top 10 list for the fourth consecutive year, with the 10 best-selling models accounting for 19% of total smartphone sales in 2025, Counterpoint said in its Global Handset Model Sales Tracker report last Thursday.
Apple secured seven spots on the list, with the 16 lineup, first launched in late 2024, occupying the top three positions.
The 17 and 17 Pro Max took 4th and 7th places.
Counterpoint analyst Harshit Rastogi said the 17 series achieved 16% higher sales than its predecessor during its first full quarter on the market, driven by strong initial demand in key markets such as the U.S., China, and Western Europe, with the base 17 model emerging as the standout performer.
The 16e, Apple’s additional model launched in 2025 rounded out the global top 10 ranking.
iPhone 16 models on display at a store in London, UK, in 2024. Photo by Reuters
Samsung captured three positions on the list with the Galaxy A16 5G, Galaxy A06 4G, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, ranking fifth, sixth, and ninth.
The Galaxy A16 5G was the best-selling Android smartphone of 2025, Counterpoint said.
In a separate report released earlier this month, Counterpoint said the U.S. tech giant led the global smartphone market in 2025 with a 20% market share, overtaking Samsung’s 19%.
Counterpoint also warned that memory shortages are expected to have a broad impact on entry- and mid-range smartphones this year, while flagship models are likely to further increase their share of overall sales.
The research firm added that although replacement cycles are expected to lengthen, financing programs, trade-in schemes, and the refurbished market could help ease pressure on consumer demand.