Apple has dethroned Samsung as the world’s top smartphone vendor after more than 14 years. Preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) indicates that 336.3 million smartphones were shipped in the final quarter of 2025, reflecting a 2.3% increase compared to Q4 2024.
Apple led the market with 81.3 million shipments, achieving a 24.2% share of the global market. The success of the iPhone 17 series propelled Apple to its highest quarterly revenue ever and marked its best Q4 growth since 2021.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
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Despite falling to second place, Samsung ended the year strongly with 61.2 million shipments and an 18.2% market share. The Korean brand recorded an impressive annual growth rate exceeding 18%, the highest among the top five brands.
Xiaomi ranked third with 37.8 million shipments and an 11.2% market share, while vivo (27M) and Oppo (26.9M) shared the fourth position.
| Top 5 Companies, Worldwide Smartphone Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q4 2025 (Preliminary results, shipments in millions of units) | |||||
| Company | Q4 25 Shipments | Q4 25 Market Share | Q4 24 Shipments | Q4 24 Market Share | Q4 24/Q4 25 Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apple | 81.3 | 24.2% | 77.5 | 23.6% | 4.9% |
| 2. Samsung | 61.2 | 18.2% | 51.7 | 15.7% | 18.3% |
| 3. Xiaomi | 37.8 | 11.2% | 42.7 | 13.0% | -11.4% |
| 4. vivo | 27.0 | 8.0% | 27.1 | 8.2% | -0.4% |
| 4. Oppo | 26.9 | 8.0% | 25.0 | 7.6% | 7.6% |
| Others | 102.1 | 30.4% | 104.8 | 31.9% | -2.6% |
| Total | 336.3 | 100.00% | 328.8 | 100.00% | 2.3% |
| Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, January 13, 2026 |
Despite challenges such as a memory chip shortage and economic uncertainties like tariffs and supply chain disruptions, the global smartphone market was able to achieve a 1.9% growth. The ongoing demand for premium devices contributed to this growth, as consumers anticipated price increases.
For the year as a whole, a total of 1.26 billion smartphones were shipped in 2025, with Apple remaining at the forefront. The company achieved a record 247.8 million shipments, securing a 19.7% global market share. This means one in every five smartphones shipped in 2025 was an iPhone.
Apple iPhone 17
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Samsung retained second place, shipping 241.2 million units with a 19.1% market share, representing a 7.9% year-over-year growth. Xiaomi achieved 165.3 million shipments, while vivo and Oppo each contributed slightly over 8 million shipments.
| Top 5 Companies, Worldwide Smartphone Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, CY 2025 (Preliminary results, shipments in millions of units) | |||||
| Company | 2025 Shipments | 2025 Market Share | 2024 Shipments | 2024 Market Share | 2024/2025 Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apple | 247.8 | 19.7% | 233.1 | 18.9% | 6.3% |
| 2. Samsung | 241.2 | 19.1% | 223.5 | 18.1% | 7.9% |
| 3. Xiaomi | 165.3 | 13.1% | 168.4 | 13.6% | -1.9% |
| 4. vivo | 103.9 | 8.2% | 101.2 | 8.2% | 2.7% |
| 4. Oppo | 102 | 8.1% | 104.8 | 8.5% | -2.7% |
| Others | 400 | 31.7% | 405.2 | 32.8% | -1.3% |
| Total | 1,260.3 | 100.00% | 1,236.3 | 100.00% | 1.9% |
| Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, January 13, 2026 |
As we look ahead to 2026, the smartphone market may encounter new challenges, including ongoing memory chip shortages that could disrupt supply chains. Analysts at IDC anticipate that prices will rise, leading to a market decline. Success is likely to favor larger manufacturers capable of securing favorable component pricing.
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