Apple Is About to Sell More Phones Than Samsung

Apple is looking to beat the South Korean tech giant Samsung in phone sales this year for the first time since 2011. According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, this is a huge change in the smartphone world, and it’s mostly because of the new iPhone 17.

The Numbers

Apple will likely ship around 243 million iPhones in 2025, while Samsung will ship about 235 million phones. This gives Apple 19.4% of the global market, just slightly more than Samsung’s 18.7%. While these numbers show how many phones companies send to stores (not direct sales to customers), they still show that Apple is doing really well right now.

Why the iPhone 17 Is So Popular

The iPhone 17 has been a big hit. The regular iPhone 17 and the new iPhone Air model are selling extremely well in Apple’s main markets. In the US, sales jumped 12% compared to the iPhone 16 in the first month. In China, where Apple faces tough competition from local brands, sales went up even more—18%.

Yang Wang, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, explained why: “People who bought phones during COVID are now ready to upgrade.” Many people bought new smartphones during the pandemic. Now, a few years later, they want newer phones—and they’re choosing iPhones.

Samsung’s Challenges

Samsung is still one of the biggest phone makers in the world, but it’s facing problems. Chinese phone brands are getting better and cheaper, especially in the mid-range and budget categories. This makes it harder for Samsung to stay on top.

Apple’s Lead Could Last for Years

Experts think Apple won’t just beat Samsung this year—it could stay ahead until at least 2029. Here’s why:

Loyal customers: Once people start using iPhones, they tend to stick with Apple products
Used iPhones: About 358 million used iPhones were sold between 2023 and mid-2025. Many people who buy used iPhones eventually upgrade to new ones
Better global conditions: Trade tensions between the US and China have eased, making it easier for Apple to manufacture phones. Also, the US dollar is weaker and people around the world are feeling more confident about spending money

What’s Coming Next

Apple has big plans for the future:

• A cheaper iPhone 17e model coming in 2026
• Apple’s first foldable iPhone
• A major redesign and better Siri features planned for 2027

By offering phones at different prices—from budget models to expensive Pro versions—Apple wants to attract all kinds of buyers. Combined with the popularity of Apple’s overall ecosystem (iPhones, iPads, Macs, etc.), this strategy could keep Apple at the top for many years to come.