Apple Accelerates 5x Past The Smartphone Market — Samsung Gets Outrun

Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc has regained its position as the sole leader in the global smartphone market for the first time since 2011, with a market share of 20% in 2025, outperforming Samsung's 19% share [2][3] Market Performance - Apple stock increased by 11.5% in 2025, although this was lower than several leading stock market indexes [1] - Global smartphone shipments rose by 2% year-over-year in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of growth [2] Market Share and Growth - Apple achieved a record 25% market share in the fourth quarter of 2025, leading the market ahead of Samsung's 17% [6] - The smartphone market is shifting towards higher price tiers, driven by consumer upgrades to premium devices [4] Product Performance - The iPhone 17 significantly contributed to Apple's market leadership, while the iPhone 16 maintained strong demand in markets like Japan, India, and Southeast Asia [5] - Apple's product mix has supported rising demand across emerging and mid-size markets [6] Financial Outlook - Apple is expected to report strong financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2026, with revenue growth projected between 10% to 12% year-over-year [10] - The estimated revenue for the first quarter is expected to be between $136.73 billion and $139.22 billion, surpassing last year's record of $124.30 billion [11] - iPhone revenue is anticipated to grow by double digits year-over-year, with projections of reaching at least $76.06 billion [12]