Tech Desk 
May 30, 2025
While major smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung have remained in the lead for the past few years, it seems that the domination will remain unparalleled for a little while longer, as both brands have led global smartphone sales in early 2025.
During the first quarter of 2025, Apple and Samsung kept up with their legacy of being the best-selling smartphones in the global market.
Citing recent data issued by Counterpoint Research.l, ProPakistani reported that the two tech giants together owned nine of the top ten best-selling smartphones worldwide.
In what appeared to be a nod to China's surprising growth in the smartphone market, Xiaomi proved the only other brand to make it to the rankings, securing eighth place.
Apple was crowned as the top brand with the iPhone 16 emerging as the best-selling smartphone globally between January and March, marking a milestone as this is the first time since 2023 that a standard iPhone model has surpassed global sales. iPhone 16 sales performed well in Japan, the Middle East, and Africa.
The iPhone maker also grabbed the next three positions as well, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 15 occupying second, third, and fourth ranks, respectively.
It's worth noting that the Pro models accounted for almost half of Apple’s total iPhone sales for the quarter.
Besides Apple, Samsung Galaxy A16 5G was the fifth best-selling device and the company’s top performer, followed by the Galaxy A06 in sixth place.
Perhaps not in favour of the South Korean tech titan, the high-end Galaxy S25 Ultra secured seventh position, followed by Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C at eighth place, which stood out as the only non-Apple or Samsung model on the list of the top ten.
Regarding the ninth and tenth positions, the Galaxy A55 and iPhone 16 Plus filled them, respectively.
