Apple takes #1 spot in Q1 2025 for Smart Phone Sales
Research for Counterpoint shows that the global smartphone market grew by 3% in the first quarter of 2025, driven by growth in emerging markets and “a subsidy-led demand boost in China,” it said.
The research went on to mention the thing that has never happened before: “Apple took the #1 spot in Q1 2025, its first ever for the first quarter, with a 19% share. Strong sales growth in markets like Japan and India helped,” it revealed.
It commented that there were major launches, including Samsung Galaxy S25 series and the entry-level Apple iPhone 16e but that the quarter slowed as economic uncertainties and trade war risks took center stage, to the extent that Counterpoint is projecting a decline for 2025 as a whole, despite the strong start.
How did Apple do it?
Helped by the iPhone 16e launch in a non-traditional quarter and continued growth and expansion in its non-core markets, Apple took the #1 spot in Q1 2025, despite the challenges faced in its biggest markets. We have to assume sales driven by the search for Apple AI.
While sales in the US, Europe and China were either flat or declining, Apple recorded double-digit growth in Japan, India, Middle East and Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Samsung followed Apple with 18% market share. While it had a slow start due to the late launch of the S25 series, its sales showed a resurgence after the launch of the flagship S25 and new A-series devices. Samsung’s sales grew by double-digits in March. The share of “Ultra” in the S25 series sales showed an increase,” the report said.
It also said that Samsung had slumped by 5% while Apple went up by 4%, which clinched the deal.
