Apple Set to Top Samsung as iPhone 17 Demand Soars in 2025

Apple Inc. is on the brink of reclaiming the world’s No. 1 smartphone maker title in 2025, driven by a blockbuster response to its newly launched iPhone 17 series and a strong global upgrade wave.

The momentum marks a major shift in the smartphone industry, where Samsung has held the top spot for more than a decade. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s latest lineup has not only revived demand in its core markets but also unlocked fresh growth across emerging regions.

The iPhone 17 lineup—featuring four models—has drawn unusually heavy footfall at Apple Stores, with the ultra-thin iPhone Air becoming the center of attention. Long queues were reported in both the US and China, helping Apple deliver double-digit year-over-year sales growth in these crucial markets.

Apple is further benefiting from improving US-China trade conditions and a weakening dollar, factors that have helped push sales in several developing economies. Researchers note that a large segment of users who bought smartphones during the pandemic boom are now entering their replacement cycle, adding more fuel to Apple’s rise.

Industry estimates project a 10% jump in iPhone shipments in 2025, compared with a 4.6% rise for Samsung. If the trend continues through the year, Apple is expected to capture 19.4% of the global smartphone market—its highest in years—and secure the top position for the first time since 2011.

Analysts also highlight the growing influence of the secondhand iPhone ecosystem. Nearly 358 million pre-owned iPhones were sold between 2023 and mid-2025, creating a large pool of users likely to upgrade to newer models in the coming years.

Looking ahead, Apple is preparing to broaden its lineup. A foldable iPhone and a more affordable iPhone 17e are expected to arrive in 2026, followed by a major design overhaul in 2027. Industry watchers say these additions may help Apple retain its momentum even as global competition intensifies.

With the iPhone 17 series rewriting sales expectations and the market entering a fresh growth phase, Apple appears closer than ever to regaining smartphone leadership worldwide—something it has chased for more than a decade.