Apple’s iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone worldwide in Q3 2025, accounting for 4% of global volume, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. Apple and Samsung each placed five devices in the global top-10 list, which together represented 20% of total smartphone sales for the quarter. For the first time in a Q3 ranking, all top five models were 5G.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max entered the list at number ten and became September’s best-selling model. Its performance was boosted by replacement demand from users who bought iPhones during the COVID period. The device adds upgraded 48MP sensors, features such as ProRes RAW and GenLock, an 8× optical-quality telephoto zoom, the A19 Pro chip, and vapor-chamber cooling.
The Galaxy A16 5G was the top-selling Android model, improving on its predecessor’s ranking and overtaking the 4G version. The Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 outperformed earlier models in their series, helped by Samsung’s “Awesome Intelligence” features, such as Best Face and Nightography, along with faster charging and longer software support.
The Galaxy A16 4G and Galaxy A06 remained strong in emerging regions like Latin America and the Middle East and Africa, where each generated more than half of its total sales. Samsung’s early launch of the Galaxy A17 series tapped into seasonal demand but limited further growth of the A16 lineup.
Compared with last year, Samsung increased its A-series presence. Xiaomi’s Redmi 13C 4G, which ranked seventh in Q3 2024, did not appear in the 2025 list.
Counterpoint expects mid-tier smartphones to remain prominent in the top-10 rankings. Growing integration of GenAI features is making this segment more competitive and narrowing the gap with flagship devices.
Notes: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed, edited, and published by humans.
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Q3 2025 Top 10 Smartphones
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- Galaxy A16 5G
- Galaxy A06
- Galaxy A36
- Galaxy A56
- Galaxy A16 4G
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max entered the list at number ten and became September’s best-selling model. Its performance was boosted by replacement demand from users who bought iPhones during the COVID period. The device adds upgraded 48MP sensors, features such as ProRes RAW and GenLock, an 8× optical-quality telephoto zoom, the A19 Pro chip, and vapor-chamber cooling.
Samsung’s Performance
All five Samsung entries came from the Galaxy A line.The Galaxy A16 5G was the top-selling Android model, improving on its predecessor’s ranking and overtaking the 4G version. The Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 outperformed earlier models in their series, helped by Samsung’s “Awesome Intelligence” features, such as Best Face and Nightography, along with faster charging and longer software support.
The Galaxy A16 4G and Galaxy A06 remained strong in emerging regions like Latin America and the Middle East and Africa, where each generated more than half of its total sales. Samsung’s early launch of the Galaxy A17 series tapped into seasonal demand but limited further growth of the A16 lineup.
Compared with last year, Samsung increased its A-series presence. Xiaomi’s Redmi 13C 4G, which ranked seventh in Q3 2024, did not appear in the 2025 list.
Counterpoint expects mid-tier smartphones to remain prominent in the top-10 rankings. Growing integration of GenAI features is making this segment more competitive and narrowing the gap with flagship devices.
Notes: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed, edited, and published by humans.
Read next: Shrugging Through the Screen: 2025’s Words Capture Online Uncertainty
