Best-selling phones of 2025 once again highlighted the dominance of Apple and Samsung, with the two tech giants firmly controlling the global smartphone market. According to the latest industry report, Apple’s iPhone 17 emerged as the world’s best-selling smartphone of 2025, a result that surprised many Android loyalists.
This marked the fourth consecutive year in which Apple and Samsung occupied the entire top 10 smartphone list, together accounting for 19 percent of total global smartphone sales. Apple secured an impressive seven positions on the list, while Samsung claimed the remaining three spots, proving the brands’ continued strength across both premium and mid-range segments.
The iPhone 17 series, launched in September, delivered strong performance right out of the gate. Sales during its first full quarter were 16 percent higher than its predecessor, with the United States, China, and Western Europe leading demand. Among all models, the base iPhone 17 stood out as the top performer, recording the highest growth rate and outperforming the iPhone 16 during its launch phase in 2024.
Much of this success was driven by meaningful hardware upgrades. The base iPhone 17 introduced a 120Hz refresh rate, a significant improvement over the previous 60Hz display. Apple also doubled the base storage to 256GB, enhancing value for users and contributing to a stronger market reception.
Apple further expanded its reach with the iPhone 16e, launched in spring 2025 at a price of $599. This model offered a more accessible entry into Apple’s ecosystem and appealed to budget-conscious consumers seeking long-term software support and performance reliability.
Samsung also demonstrated strong momentum in 2025. The Galaxy A16 5G ranked fifth overall, making it the best-selling Android smartphone of the year. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra secured ninth place, marking its second straight year among the top 10 globally.
Overall, the rankings clearly show how best-selling phones of 2025 were shaped by innovation, brand loyalty, and strategic pricing, with Apple and Samsung continuing to set the pace worldwide.
