IPhone 16e Help Apple Seize Top Positions In The 2025 First Global Smartphone Market

Apple revenue dongkrak iPhone 16 sales (photo: x @VerdeSelvans)

JAKARTA - Apple managed to take first place in global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, according to recent data from Counterpoint Research. This is the first time Apple was ranked the top in the first quarter, by controlling a 19% global market share.

Apple's success was driven by the launch of the iPhone 16e as well as its strong performance in the emerging country market. The iPhone 16e, which was released in March 2025 to replace the iPhone SE, became the most affordable model in Apple's product line at prices ranging from $599.

Samsung took second place with a market share of 18%, continuing a downward trend from 21% in the first quarter of 2023. This South Korean manufacturer experienced a slow start to the year due to the delayed launch of the Galaxy S25 series, although sales began to improve in March.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi maintains stable growth and is in third place with a market share of 14%, up from 13% the previous year. Xiaomi's expansion is supported by growth in the domestic market, especially with the company's entry into the electric vehicle sector increasing their brand image. Vivo and OPPO complete the top five.

The global smartphone market grew 3% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2025. However, Counterpoint has revised its annual projections and is now forecasting a slight decline for the whole year, as economic uncertainty increases due to trade rates imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Counterpoint also said that economic volatility could cause consumers to delay purchasing smartphones, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing trade risk.

Apple's performance looks very regional. Although sales in the United States, Europe, and China tend to stagnate or decline, Apple actually recorded double-digit growth in Japan, India, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as Southeast Asia.