The iPhone 16 topped global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. This marked the first time since 2022 that a base iPhone model has led global sales in the period.
iPhone 16e does better than the SE ever did
Counterpoint’s data also shows that Apple secured five of the top ten spots in Q1, continuing a trend seen over the past five March quarters. Meanwhile, Samsung took four spots, and Xiaomi was the only other brand to make the list.
While the Pro models maintained their usual strength, it was the base iPhone 16 that drove most of the volume, especially in Japan, and across the Middle East and Africa. Counterpoint attributes the jump in Japan to improved economic conditions, and updated carrier subsidy rules that played into Apple’s favor.
In today’s report, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro came in second and third place, respectively. These models continue to face headwinds in China, where new government incentives for devices priced below CNY 6,000 (approximately $833) have helped local OEMs like Huawei gain ground.
The iPhone 16e, Apple’s new lower-cost model, has already made its way into the rankings. March 2025 was its first full month of availability, and it landed in sixth place globally. With a broader feature set and more modern design, analysts expect it to outperform its predecessor by a comfortable margin over the next year.
Samsung drops one model, Redmi holds ground
On Samsung’s side, the Galaxy S25 Ultra took seventh place in the quarter, down two spots from the S24 Ultra in Q1 2024. The report notes the drop was mostly due to a shorter selling window, since the S25 lineup launched later in the quarter.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy A16 5G ranked fifth overall, driven by solid demand in North America, Latin America, and across the Asia-Pacific region. And the Galaxy A06, Samsung’s entry-level model, jumped four spots in the global top 10, thanks to a broader surge in demand for sub-$100 smartphones.
That low-end tier was the fastest-growing segment of the market in Q1, accounting for nearly 20% of all global smartphone sales. Counterpoint says the growth came as supply chain pressures eased and demand rebounded in key emerging markets.
The lone non-Apple or Samsung model in the top 10 came from Xiaomi. The Redmi 14C 4G posted 43% year-over-year growth, riding strong demand in the Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin America. Like Xiaomi’s recent wearables surge, the 14C’s success reflects the company’s ability to deliver meaningful features at aggressively competitive prices.
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