The company also secured five spots in the top 10 for a fifth consecutive first quarter. The iPhone 16 reclaimed the top spot for Apple’s base variant after a two-year gap, according to global market research firm Counterpoint Research.
The iPhone 16 performed exceptionally well in Japan, the Middle East and Africa, with Japan seeing the highest growth. “Improved economic conditions and revised subsidy regulations favored Apple’s pricing strategy and ecosystem, further strengthening its appeal in the Japanese market,” Counterpoint said.
The 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro ranked second and third. But these models faced challenges in China, where government subsidies favored devices priced under 6,000 yuan (US$833) and competition from local manufacturers like Huawei was strong.
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iPhone 16. Photo from VnExpress/Tuan Hung |
Despite this, the Pro models continued to account for nearly half of Apple’s total iPhone sales for a third consecutive quarter.
The iPhone 15, the best-selling smartphone globally in 2024, secured fourth place, down from second a year earlier.
The iPhone 16e debuted strongly, securing sixth spot in March, its first full month of sales. While priced higher than the SE 2022, the 16e is expected to outperform its predecessor, driven by significant technological advancements and an expanded feature set.
Samsung had four models in the rankings, one fewer than last year. The Galaxy A16 5G and Galaxy A06 were fifth and sixth, the Galaxy S25 Ultra was seventh and the Galaxy A55 5G was ninth.
Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C 4G secured eighth spot, the only non-Apple and -Samsung device in the top 10.
“Going forward, despite ongoing tariff tensions and broader market uncertainties, the share of the top 10 best-selling smartphone models is expected to remain relatively stable,” Counterpoint said. “This resilience is supported by OEMs increasingly focusing on high-end smartphones where consumer interest is driven by premium features.”
Its report focused on rankings rather than sales volume and did not disclose specific sales figures.
