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iPhone 16 Tops List of Best Selling Smartphones in Q3 2025 as Apple, Samsung Lead the Market

iPhone 16 Tops List of Best-Selling Smartphones in Q3 2025 as Apple, Samsung Lead the Market

iPhone 16 led the market for the third consecutive quarter, registering a 4 percent volume share.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 9 December 2025 12:22 IST

iPhone 16 Tops List of Best-Selling Smartphones in Q3 2025 as Apple, Samsung Lead the Market

iPhone 16 was launched in India and the global markets in September 2024

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Highlights

Apple dominated Q3 2025 with the top four best-selling smartphones
The iPhone 16e ranked fourth despite offering fewer premium features
Samsung placed five models in the top 10, all from the Galaxy A lineup

Apple topped the global best-selling smartphones list in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, according to a report by a market research firm. The Cupertino-based tech giant took the top four spots, headlined by multiple models from its iPhone 16 series. Samsung also had five models among the top 10 best-selling smartphones, but none from its flagship Galaxy S or Galaxy Z-series lineups. The report reveals that the top 10 models contributed to a 20 percent share of the total smartphone market.

Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones in Q3 2025

According to Counterpoint Research's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone in the world in Q3 2025. The handset led the market for the third consecutive quarter, registering a 4 percent volume share. The market analysis suggests that festive promotions in India and sustained recovery in Japan helped Apple's base model from last year restrict the seasonal decline following the launch of the iPhone 17 series.

Two other Apple handsets — iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max — grabbed the second and third spots, despite reportedly witnessing a steeper decline due to more consumers opting for the iPhone 17 models in major markets like China, the UK, and the US. The most surprising entry, perhaps, is the iPhone 16e, which grabbed the fourth spot, despite its lack of features and catering to the “I just need an iPhone crowd”.

Samsung Tops List As Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments Prosper

In total, Apple managed to grab five spots, with the flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max also joining the top 10 list in 10th place.

Apart from the Cupertino-based tech giant, Samsung was the only other original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with smartphones in the top 10 list. All of these devices belonged to the non-flagship Galaxy A-series. The Galaxy A16 5G grabbed the fifth spot, closely followed by Galaxy A06, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A56, and Galaxy A16 4G.

As per the research note, the mid-range segment's presence in the top 10 list is expected to continue, driven by the growing integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) features. With their incorporation, these devices are claimed to make the segment more competitive, deliver greater value to consumers, and further bridge the user experience with the flagship models.

No Samsung Galaxy S or Galaxy Z-series smartphone, notably, made it to the top 10 list.

iPhone 16

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 16 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Massive screen size
Brilliant display
Performance beast
Camera Control is a boon
Fantastic battery life

Bad
Big phone for one-hand use
Expensive
No Apple Intelligence at launch
Slow-wired charging support

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A18 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 16 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A18 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 16e

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Light and compact design
Powerful Apple A18 SoC
Customisable Action Button
Good battery life

Bad
Low light camera performance is below average
Available in just two basic finishes
Large display notch with thick borders
60Hz refresh rate display
Slow wireless and wired charging

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16e review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
The boldest redesign since the iPhone X
Bright and stunning display
A19 Pro under the hood guarantees excellent performance
Massive camera upgrade
Video quality gets a much-needed bump
Centre Stage camera at the front changes selfie game on iPhones forever
Improved charging speed

Bad
Aluminium body picks up scratches
Expensive
Heavier than the 16 Pro Max

Read detailed Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Iphone 16, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 17, Smartphones, Counterpoint

Shaurya Tomer

Email Shaurya Tomer

Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More