Apple iPhone 16 Tops Global Best-Selling Smartphones List For Q1 2025, Outperforming Pro Models; Plus Variant Ranks Tenth

Last year, the iPhone 15 narrowly missed securing the title held by Apple’s current base model, ranking just behind the iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to recent sales data, Apple’s smartphones dominate the latest rankings, capturing five of the top slots, while competitors Xiaomi and Samsung fill the remaining positions.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra Secures Seventh Place, Surpassing iPhone 16 Plus

Counterpoint Research has recently published data showing that for the first quarter of 2025, the iPhone 16 Pro emerged as the second best-selling smartphone, with the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max close behind. The report did not elaborate on the reasons driving this shift in consumer preferences. However, it seems many buyers closely compared the specifications of the iPhone 16 models against those of the other flagship offerings from Apple. A notable conclusion that consumers appear to be reaching is that the Pro models lack sufficient exclusive features to justify their premium price tags.

The standard iPhone 16 is equipped with the A18 chip, which is only slightly less powerful than the A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Additionally, it features the same 8GB RAM configuration. When it comes to gaming performance and generative AI capabilities, the 6.1-inch model matches its pricier counterparts. Consumers opting for the base model do face minor trade-offs, such as a reduced camera setup, a standard non-titanium alloy chassis, and a 60Hz OLED display. Current trends suggest that many buyers find these trade-offs unworthy of the additional investment required for the Pro models.

Positioned as the runner-up during Q1 2024, the iPhone 15 has maintained its popularity, occupying the fourth spot in the latest rankings. Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G follows, clinching the fifth spot as the best-selling device within its lineup. Notably, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the only flagship model from Samsung to feature in the top ten, while Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C 4G also made a notable entry into the list.

Interestingly, the iPhone 16 Plus finished last in sales, which may contribute to Apple’s decision to potentially replace it with an upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Apple’s positioning of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max faced intense competition in China. This is largely attributed to government subsidies favoring smartphones priced under 6, 000 yuan (approximately $833) and the resurgence of Huawei in the market. Considering that China represents the largest smartphone market by volume, Apple’s more expensive models may have struggled to maintain top positions due to significant competitive pressure in that region.

For further insights and details, visit Counterpoint Research.

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