Apple Poised to Overtake Samsung in Smartphone Market
According to a new report by Counterpoint Research, Apple is projected to reclaim its position as the largest smartphone maker in the world by 2025, surpassing Samsung in shipments for the first time in over ten years.
Global smartphone shipments are anticipated to rise by 3.3% year-on-year in 2025, with Apple playing a significant role in this growth, as outlined by the analysis.
Demand for the iPhone 17 series is on the rise in key markets, contributing to a forecasted sales increase of 10% compared to the previous year in 2025.
Counterpoint’s predictions indicate that Apple’s share could reach 19.4% in 2025, marking its return to the top of the smartphone market since 2011.
Interestingly, Samsung’s shipment volume is expected to grow by 4.6% year-on-year, but with a projected 18.7% global market share, it would fall behind Apple for the first time in over a decade.
“The positive reception of the iPhone 17 series is crucial,” commented Yang Wang, a senior analyst. “Alongside that, the replacement cycle is at a pivotal moment,” he noted, suggesting that consumers who bought smartphones during the COVID-19 surge are now looking to upgrade. He also mentioned that 358 million used iPhones sold from 2023 to the second quarter of 2025 are likely to influence new iPhone purchases in the coming years.
Looking further, Apple and Microsoft have recently reached a combined valuation of $4 trillion.
| ticker | security | last | change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | Apple Inc. | 277.71 | +0.74 | +0.27% |
| SSNLF | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 65.21 | +24.61 | +60.62% |
According to the report, this consumer demand is expected to help Apple maintain its leading position among smartphone manufacturers at least until 2029.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s strategy to pivot towards the A series is likely to enhance its presence in emerging markets, thanks to better specifications and competitive pricing. In established markets, its shift towards premium products should help it retain some market share, as per Counterpoint’s insights.
On another front, Chinese smartphone manufacturers are predicted to increasingly lean on international markets for growth while venturing into high-end segments to enhance profitability.
Counterpoint also suggested that this diversification could boost earnings for Chinese brands, with shipment rankings projected to remain stable until 2029.
