Apple Set to Reclaim Smartphone Sales Leadership from Samsung
214According to industry analysts from Counterpoint, Apple is on track to regain its position as the top smartphone manufacturer globally, overtaking Samsung for the first time in 14 years. The forecast highlights a significant shift in the competitive landscape, driven by strong sales performance and strategic market moves by Apple.
Apple’s Path to the Top
Counterpoint reports that global smartphone sales are expected to grow by 3.3% this year, with Apple’s iPhone shipments increasing by 10% year-over-year. By 2025, Apple’s market share is projected to reach approximately 19.4%, solidifying its leadership position. This marks a nostalgic return to the dominance Apple held before losing it after the release of the iPhone 4S, which debuted shortly after Steve Jobs’ passing.
Senior Analyst Yang Wang attributes this resurgence partly to the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated smartphone upgrades as consumers replaced devices purchased during the pandemic boom. The upcoming iPhone 17 series has also contributed to a positive outlook, with consumers entering a new upgrade cycle.
Impact of Second-Hand Market and Geopolitical Factors
Apple benefits significantly from its strong second-hand market; iPhones tend to last longer, retain value, and are highly sought after in resale markets. Reports indicate that between 2023 and Q2 2025, approximately 358 million used iPhones were sold, creating a robust pool of potential upgrade customers.
This second-hand demand is expected to sustain future iPhone shipment growth, as users who purchase used devices are more likely to upgrade to new models when available.
Additionally, US tariffs and trade negotiations have played a nuanced role. While initially seen as disruptive, these tariffs ultimately benefited Apple by encouraging diversification of the supply chain and expanding market penetration, especially in regions like India.
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