So here's the state of the smartphone world in 2025: it's basically a two-company show. According to Counterpoint Research's latest shipment tracker, Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd (SSNLF) are the undisputed leaders, grabbing the top two spots in pretty much every major market. But the way they're winning looks completely different depending on whether you're in a wealthy, connected city or an emerging economy.
Think of it as a tale of two smartphone markets. In places like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, people are buying the fancy, expensive stuff. Premium smartphones are driving the volumes. But hop over to Latin America or the Middle East and Africa, and it's a whole different ball game. There, it's all about entry-level to mid-tier models. The regional demand patterns have completely diverged.
Apple's Premium Playbook
In North America, Apple's grip is tight. It secured four of the top five positions. The iPhone 16 5G led the pack in shipments. The only Android device that managed to crack that top five was Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G, and that was largely thanks to strong demand in the prepaid phone segment.
Over in Asia-Pacific, including China, Apple didn't just lead—it swept the board. The company held all five of the top spots. This region is massive, accounting for about half of all global smartphone shipments in 2025. Apple's growth in China was fueled by a powerful upgrade cycle, making it the fastest-growing brand among the top players there. Interestingly, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 5G was the top-shipping model in China. That's the only region where a Pro Max model led Apple's lineup, which is a pretty clear signal that premiumization—the move toward more expensive devices—is on the rise there.
Outside of China, Apple's growth in APAC got a boost from Japan and India. Along with China, these are Apple's largest markets outside the United States. The more budget-conscious iPhone 16e also made it into the top five in APAC (excluding China), with Japan alone accounting for more than a third of its global volume.
Samsung's Budget Kingdom
Now, let's look at the other side of the coin. In Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, the story is all about 4G and value. Every single one of the top five models in these regions was a 4G smartphone. In fact, more than 60% of total shipments in both markets were 4G devices in 2025. The 5G revolution hasn't arrived here in full force yet.
This is where Samsung shines. It led both regions, with its Galaxy A06 and A16 models taking the number one and two spots. Xiaomi's (XIACY) Redmi 14C also ranked in the top five, showing there's strong demand for value-driven phones. In LATAM, Motorola's Moto G05 made the list, while in MEA, models from TECNO like the Pop 9 and Camon 40 gained traction thanks to the company's strong regional presence.
