Smartphone momentum for Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) was strong in the fourth quarter, thanks to the launch of the iPhone 17 in September. Calls from management for the first quarter to be even better could come true thanks to momentum in China.Apple's iPhone 17 China MomentumA recent report indicates Apple could return to its title as the top-selling smartphone maker in 2025, topping the global market share for the first time since 2011.One of the keys to bringing the title back to the tech giant is strength in ...

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]