Fresh data from Counterpoint Research shows Apple absolutely dominated smartphone sales in early 2025. Their standard iPhone 16 wasn't just popular – it was the world's top seller in Q1. Right behind it? Apple swept the next three spots too: the iPhone 16 Pro Max took second, the iPhone 16 Pro landed third, and last year's iPhone 15 held onto fourth. Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G managed to break into fifth place.

This tells us something interesting. Back in Q1 2024, Apple's top seller was the pricier iPhone 15 Pro Max, which barely outsold the standard model. The 2025 rankings suggest Apple's more affordable non-Pro phones are winning over more buyers.

Why the shift? Apple's been blurring the lines between its standard and Pro models. The regular iPhone 16 now packs the powerful A18 chip – performance that's breathing down the neck of the A18 Pro in the Pro Max. It also includes handy features once reserved for the Pro line, like the customizable Action button and the new Camera Control button.

Apple's stronghold was clear: they grabbed half of the quarter's top 10 bestsellers. Alongside the top four, the iPhone 16 Plus squeezed into tenth place. Samsung's premium Galaxy S25 Ultra secured seventh, while the rest of the list featured mostly budget-friendly alternatives.

One standout newcomer was the iPhone 16e. Despite its higher price tag (over $600) and only hitting shelves halfway through the quarter, it rocketed to sixth place globally in its very first full month (March 2025). Given its more advanced features, analysts expect it will easily blow past the first-year sales of the older iPhone SE.

While Counterpoint focused on model rankings (not exact sales figures), they did note regional trends. The iPhone 16 saw especially strong traction in Japan and across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). However, in China, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max ran into trouble. Government subsidies favoring cheaper phones, plus fierce competition from local players like Huawei, made it a tough market for premium models.