Budget beats flagship! Apple’s affordable iPhone 16e outsold the premium iPhone 17 Pro Max during Q3 2025, securing fourth place globally while the newest flagship barely cracked the top 10 at tenth position, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest smartphone sales data.
Table of Contents
Q3 2025 Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones
| Rank | Model | Market Share | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 16 | 4% | Apple |
| 2 | iPhone 16 Pro | – | Apple |
| 3 | iPhone 16 Pro Max | – | Apple |
| 4 | iPhone 16e | – | Apple |
| 5 | Galaxy A16 5G | – | Samsung |
| 6 | Galaxy A06 | – | Samsung |
| 7 | Galaxy A36 | – | Samsung |
| 8 | Galaxy A56 | – | Samsung |
| 9 | Galaxy A16 4G | – | Samsung |
| 10 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | – | Apple |
iPhone 16 Dominates Despite iPhone 17 Launch
The standard iPhone 16 maintained its crown for the third consecutive quarter with 4% global volume share, driven by festive promotions in India and sustained recovery in Japan. The entire iPhone 16 family—including base, Pro, Pro Max, and 16e models—dominated positions 1-4.
Most surprising: the budget-friendly iPhone 16e outperformed the technology-packed iPhone 17 Pro Max despite launching a year earlier at significantly lower pricing. This demonstrates strong consumer preference for value-oriented options even within Apple’s ecosystem.
iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Limited Impact
The iPhone 17 Pro Max entered the market late in Q3 2025, achieving tenth place “despite limited availability towards the end of the quarter.” It became September’s best-selling smartphone individually, signaling strong demand that will likely strengthen in Q4 data.
Features like the 48MP telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom, vapor-chamber cooling system, and A19 Pro chip attracted COVID-era iPhone buyers seeking major upgrades after 3-4 years.
Samsung’s Mid-Range Strategy Succeeds
Samsung claimed positions 5-9 exclusively with Galaxy A-series devices—no flagship Galaxy S models appeared in the top 10. The Galaxy A16 5G led Android sales, targeting different consumer segments effectively across price points.
This marks a strategic shift: while Samsung once competed on flagship specs, its volume now comes from affordable devices in emerging markets like MEA and Latin America.
Apple vs Samsung: 5 Each
Both tech giants captured five spots each in the top 10, contributing 20% of global Q3 smartphone volume combined. However, Apple’s presence came from both budget and premium segments, while Samsung relied entirely on mid-range offerings.
For the first time in Q3 history, all top-five spots went to 5G smartphones, confirming the technology’s transition from premium feature to consumer standard across all price tiers.
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FAQs
Why did iPhone 16e outsell the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Q3 2025?
The iPhone 16e offered better value at lower pricing with full availability, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max launched late in the quarter with limited supply.
Which was the best-selling Android phone in Q3 2025?
Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G topped Android sales at fifth place overall, moving up one position from the previous year.
