MEX-W
ARG-W
ARS2
EVE0
COV0
FUL1
OFC0
NEU0
NEOM2
ABH0
RAC0
ESP1
KHO0
ETT0
BLK2
WXM0
NAP
ROMA
CHE
TOT
VAL
VIL
DOR
SGE
RIY
TAA
LAZ
PAR
RCL
PAR
FCA1
FCU1
KOE0
S040
M052
SVW3
RBL4
ELV0
SWD-W
EPR-W
TTN-W
WPR-W
KNGHT45/0 (6/20 ov)
MPUMA
NZ-A135/3 (41 ov)
IND-A113
SYL
KHU
MYMS299/4 (87 ov)
CHATT
DHA293/3 (84.1 ov)
RAJ
RAN320/5 (80 ov)
BAR
UAE
NED
PAK
ENG
IND-W
ZIM-W
GMB
LES
MOZ
ZMB
NGA
UGA
NAM321/6
IRE290 (47.3/50 ov, target 322)
NZ180/5
IND181/6 (19.5 ov)
CAR1
BIR0
LCN4
BUR1
PNE1
WBA1
QPR4
SWA0
STK0
BRC0
ATM
DEP
SCP1
HSV0
CAG0
BOL2
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.
For more smartphone sales analysis and tech news, visit TechnoSports.
