Analysts at the research firm Counterpoint Research have released a ranking of the world’s best-selling smartphones based on third-quarter 2025 results. According to the study, the global market once again showed strong demand for Apple products—five models from the American brand made it into the top ten most popular devices.
The iPhone 16, which was unveiled last year, has become the undisputed sales leader. It was the base model of the smartphone that accounted for about 4% of all global sales in the segment and significantly outpaced its competitors in terms of sales volume. This result confirms users’ consistently high interest in Apple’s standard models, which combine the company’s ecosystem with a relatively more affordable price.
The next two spots in the ranking were also taken by last year’s flagship models from the Cupertino-based company—the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. At the same time, analysts point to an unusual distribution of demand: typically, the Pro Max version posts higher sales figures, but this time the Pro model outperformed it. By comparison, the situation in the third quarter of 2024 was the opposite, indicating a shift in consumer priorities.
The iPhone 16e has secured the fourth spot—it’s the more affordable model in the lineup, which, despite its simplified specs, remains popular among buyers. This confirms once again that users are willing to accept compromises if it means gaining access to the Apple brand and its software capabilities.
The second half of the ranking was made up entirely of Samsung smartphones, most of which are in the mass-market segment. The list includes the Galaxy A16 5G, Galaxy A06, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A56, and the 4G version of the Galaxy A16. These models ranked from fifth to ninth place, and it is noteworthy that not a single flagship model from the South Korean manufacturer made the list. This trend indicates a steady demand for affordable solutions with a wide range of features.
Rounding out the top 10 is the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max. Although sales of this model began after the start of the quarter, it still managed to make it onto the list of the world’s most sought-after smartphones. According to experts, this clearly illustrates the strength of the Apple brand and the high level of consumer interest in its flagship new products.