The 10 Best-Selling Smartphones Worldwide in Early 2025: Apple Dominates Again, Xiaomi Breaks Through

Early 2025 marks Apple’s return to dominance in the global smartphone market. According to the latest report by Counterpoint Research for Q1 2025, the top five positions in the world’s best-selling smartphone list are occupied by iPhones. Meanwhile, Samsung maintains a strong presence in the mid-to-low-end segments, and a surprise comes from Xiaomi, which successfully broke into the top 10 through its Redmi line. This article presents the full list of the 10 best-selling smartphones of early 2025, along with relevant industry insights.

List of the Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones Globally – Q1 2025

Based on Counterpoint’s official Q1 2025 report, the top smartphones are as follows:

1. iPhone 16
   The base model of Apple’s latest iPhone series tops the chart. It sold especially well in Japan, the Middle East, and Africa, thanks to pricing strategies and local carrier partnerships.
   
2. iPhone 16 Pro Max
   The high-end flagship came in second. Sales dipped slightly in China due to government subsidies for local brands, but remained strong elsewhere.
   
3. iPhone 16 Pro
   A favorite among loyal Apple users, this model ranks third in global sales.
   
4. iPhone 15
   The previous generation iPhone still sees strong demand, boosted by price cuts following the launch of the iPhone 16.
   
5. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
   The best-selling Android phone this quarter. Launched in late 2024, it became a hit globally—including in the U.S.—thanks to its competitive pricing and wide availability.
   
6. Samsung Galaxy A06
   A rising star in Samsung’s entry-level line, the A06 saw rapid sales growth in Asia and Latin America.
   
7. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
   Samsung’s flagship phone ranks seventh. A slower rollout compared to previous years impacted its initial performance.
   
8. Xiaomi Redmi 14C 4G
   A surprise entry from Xiaomi. This model achieved a 43% year-on-year sales increase, especially in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
   
9. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
   This mid-range model from last year remains popular for its reliable performance and affordable price.
   
10. iPhone 16 Plus
    Rounding out Apple’s dominance, the larger-screen version of the iPhone 16 holds the tenth spot.
    

Global Smartphone Trends in Early 2025

1. Apple Reclaims Premium Market Leadership
After years of Pro model dominance, the base iPhone 16 has returned to the top spot, indicating that consumers are now favoring value over premium features.

2. Samsung Excels in Mid-to-Low-End Segments
Three of Samsung’s four entries in the top 10 come from the Galaxy A series. This shows the brand’s strength in delivering affordable and reliable devices to global markets, particularly in emerging economies.

3. Xiaomi Shows Real Competitive Threat
Xiaomi proves it’s a serious contender with the Redmi 14C. Its massive sales growth and popularity in developing markets suggest Xiaomi could claim more top spots in the near future.

4. Entry-Level Segment is Rapidly Growing
Counterpoint notes that smartphones priced below US$120 now make up nearly 20% of global shipments. This signals a consumer shift toward affordability and practicality.

Conclusion

The list of the world’s best-selling smartphones in early 2025 confirms that Apple and Samsung still dominate the global landscape. However, Xiaomi’s emergence as a strong player in the entry-level segment is worth watching. Looking ahead, the market is expected to split between two main growth areas: premium smartphones enhanced by AI features, and affordable entry-level models. The brands that can effectively adapt to both ends of this spectrum are likely to lead the market throughout the rest of 2025.