Apple set to overtake Samsung as world’s number one smartphone brand after 14 years

Apple

Apple is on track to do something it has not done in more than a decade. According to research firm Counterpoint, Apple is expected to sell more smartphones than Samsung in 2025, making it the number one brand in the world after almost 14 years.

The global phone market is expected to grow slightly next year. Researchers say shipments will increase by a little over 3 percent in 2025. Most of that growth will come from Apple because the company’s newer iPhones are doing better than expected in big markets such as the United States and China.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series is expected to play a major role in this rise. Early sales numbers from October show that people in many countries are already buying the new models in much higher numbers than last year’s version. In the United States, sales of the iPhone 17 series were about 12 percent higher than the iPhone 16 series in the first month. In China, they were 18 percent higher. Even Japan saw a strong response.

One big reason behind this growth is that many people who bought phones during the pandemic are now ready to upgrade. Another reason is the huge second-hand iPhone market. Between 2023 and mid-2025, more than 350 million used iPhones were sold. Many of those buyers may now switch to a brand-new model in the next year or two.

Apple has also benefited from a calmer political climate between the United States and China, which has helped the company avoid major disruptions to manufacturing. A better economic situation in many countries has also encouraged people to buy new devices.

Because of this positive momentum, Apple is expected not only to become number one in 2025 but also hold on to the top spot until at least 2029. The company has a long list of new products planned, including the iPhone 17e, which will be a more affordable model, and its first foldable iPhone in 2026. A major new design for the iPhone is also expected in 2027 for the device’s twentieth anniversary.

Samsung, Apple’s main rival, will also see growth next year, but not enough to keep its long-running number one position. While Samsung will continue to do well in markets such as India and Southeast Asia, it faces increasing competition from Chinese companies in the lower price segments. This is expected to limit how much it can grow by 2029.

Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, vivo, OPPO and Transsion, will continue to expand but at a slower pace. They are dealing with challenges in their home market and rising costs for important components. As a result, they are now focusing more on higher priced phones and global markets where sales are more stable.

If these predictions hold true, 2025 will be a historic year for Apple. After fourteen years of coming in second place, the company is finally expected to move ahead of Samsung and lead the global smartphone market once again.