You Won't Believe Why the iPhone 16 Shockingly Dominated Sales in Q3 2025! Find Out the Jaw-Dropping Secrets!

In an impressive display of market dominance, Apple has emerged as the leader in global smartphone sales, particularly with the ongoing success of the iPhone 16. According to new analyses from Counterpoint Research, this flagship device not only topped the charts in the third quarter of 2025 but also saw a notable surge in demand for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. This momentum is particularly evident in the United States, where Apple is expanding its promotional efforts to capture an even larger share of the market.

Counterpoint Research's Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker reveals that the iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone worldwide during this period. Its sustained performance can be attributed to a variety of factors, including a strong demand from users upgrading from older iPhone models, enhanced carrier promotions in developed markets, and the broad appeal of the standard iPhone configuration in regions where ultra-premium models make up a smaller share of sales.

Not only did the iPhone 16 maintain its position, but the newly launched iPhone 17 Pro Max also made a significant impact by entering the quarterly global top-10 list. It was ranked as the best-selling smartphone in September 2025, despite facing limited availability towards the end of the quarter. Counterpoint notes that the demand for the iPhone 17 series has been bolstered by a substantial cohort of users who purchased iPhones during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now seeking major upgrades. Innovative features, including a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom and a vapor-chamber cooling system, represent some of Apple's most significant year-over-year advancements in camera and thermal architecture, which have contributed meaningfully to the growth in monthly sales.

While Apple has solidified its top position by promoting both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, competitors like Samsung are also making strides. Samsung increased its presence in the global smartphone rankings, securing five positions in the top 10, all represented by its popular Galaxy A series.

In another segment of the smartphone market, Counterpoint’s analysis highlights the burgeoning growth of the global foldable smartphone sector, a premium market segment that Apple has yet to enter. This category saw a 14% increase in shipments year-over-year during the third quarter of 2025, marking the highest quarterly shipment volume ever recorded for foldable devices. Much of this success can be attributed to the Samsung Galaxy Z 7 series, particularly the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which received an "exceptionally strong consumer response" thanks to its lighter design, reduced crease visibility, and improved hinge mechanisms that enhance durability. Although Apple has not yet released a foldable iPhone, speculation suggests that the company might unveil such a device as soon as next year.

Turning to the promotional landscape, Counterpoint’s U.S. Weekly Smartphone Promotions Index indicates that Apple has intensified its promotional activities in response to aggressive early discounts for the Pixel 10 from Google. As a result, Apple managed to overtake Google in terms of promotional reach during this competitive period.

In summary, Apple's ongoing success with the iPhone 16 and the promising prospects for the iPhone 17 series illustrate the company's resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market. As competitors like Samsung continue to innovate and expand their offerings, the landscape for smartphone sales remains dynamic and competitive, with significant implications for consumers and manufacturers alike.