7 out of 10 best-selling smartphones were iPhones in 2023: Report

Meanwhile, the budget Samsung mobile A-series held its own with 3 models in the top 10 global bestsellers.

Customers queue at the Apple Fifth Avenue store for the release of the Apple iPhone 14 range in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., September 16, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

If you think you have noticed a growing number of people around you brandishing an iPhone, you are not imagining it. In Counterpoint Research’s latest chart for the top smartphone models around the globe, an impressive seven out of ten smartphones have turned out to be iPhones – with the iPhone 14 leading the pack.

The real standout, though, was the iPhone 15 Pro Max which became the best-selling smartphone in Q4 2023. Limited upgrades between the iPhone 13 and 14 saw buyers flock to the Pro models, contributing to Apple’s strong Pro sales mix last year.

But even as Apple sold a whopping 10 million iPhones in India last year, it was the US and China that nabbed a lion’s share of sales. These two countries together accounted for half of iPhone sales in 2023.

Story continues below this ad

Share-of-Global-Top-10-Best-selling-Smartphones-2023

(Image: Counterpoint)

Despite its aging hardware, the iPhone 13 held onto the #4 spot, getting a sales boost from promotions in markets like Japan and the value proposition it offered in India. Apple’s overall sales remained flat year-over-year as declines in some regions were offset by impressive growth in emerging markets like India and the Middle East and Africa.

On the Android side, Samsung’s affordable A-series grabbed three places in the top ten, led by the A14 5G at #8 thanks to its popularity in the US and India, where it was 2023’s top seller. The A04e and A14 4G rounded out the list, finding buyers in cost-conscious markets like Brazil and Mexico.

The top ten models combined captured a record 20% of total smartphone sales in 2023, up from 19% the prior year. Counterpoint analysts expect this percentage to grow in 2024 as brands streamline their portfolios. They also anticipate Chinese OEMs to crack the top ten, following years of Apple/Samsung dominance.

Looking ahead, the analytics firm says that with 5G becoming the new baseline, 2024’s best-selling models will likely all support 5G connectivity.

Tags:
Apple iPhone