Apple Set to Top Samsung in Global Smartphone Shipments, Analyst Says

Core Insights - Apple is projected to surpass Samsung as the world's leading smartphone manufacturer in 2025 and maintain this position through at least 2029 according to Counterpoint Research [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Global shipments of Apple smartphones are expected to grow by 9% year over year in Q3 2025, allowing Apple to overtake Samsung for the first time in 14 years [2] - The iPhone 17 lineup, including iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, has exceeded expectations, while Samsung's shipments grew by 4.6% year over year for the same quarter [2] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Positive reception for the iPhone 17 lineup has been noted, with many consumers upgrading from older iPhones, particularly those who purchased during the COVID-19 boom [3] - A total of 358 million second-hand iPhones were sold between 2023 and Q2 2025, indicating a potential for further upgrades to new iPhones in the coming years [3] Group 3: Future Projections - Counterpoint anticipates that the introduction of a foldable iPhone and budget models, such as the iPhone 17E, will support Apple's continued market dominance [4] - Apple's global smartphone market share is expected to reach 19.4%, compared to Samsung's 18.7% [4]