The iPhone 16 is the bestselling smartphone in the world, according to a market research firm. In fact, the global list of the top five bestselling handsets in the first quarter of 2025 includes four iPhones and one Samsung model in the bottom slot.
According to the analysts, the iPhone 16 base model outsold either of the Pro variants in Q1.
iPhone 16 hits the top of the bestselling smartphone chart
Anyone at a loss for which smartphone to buy should consider which is the most popular. It’s hard to go wrong by getting the same model as large numbers of other people. And if you’re looking for popularity, that’s no better choice than something from Apple’s iPhone 16 series, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker.
“Apple maintained its strong presence in the top-10 list, securing five spots for the fifth consecutive March quarter,” noted Counterpoint.
The non-Pro version of the iPhone 16 was the best seller globally, not only in the United States. “The iPhone 16 performed well in Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA), with Japan recording the highest growth in base variant sales,” said the analysts’ report.
In second place on the Q1 2025 popularity chart came the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with the iPhone 16 Pro next. The iPhone 15 from 2023 took fourth place, while the iPhone 16 Plus came in at No. 10 on the list of popular handsets.
The iPhone 16e launched during this quarter, and while it didn’t make the Q1 top list, it found plenty of buyers. “Apple’s iPhone 16e made a strong debut, securing the sixth spot in the global top-10 list for March 2025, its first full month of sales,” said Counterpoint. “Despite a higher price compared to the SE 2022, the 16e is expected to outperform its predecessor during its first year. This success will be largely driven by its significant technological advancements and expanded feature set.”
Chart: Counterpoint
Plus some Androids
The most popular Android worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 was the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, which came in behind four better-selling iPhone models. Three other handsets from Samsung also made the top 10 list for last quarter, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra at No. 7 on Counterpoint’s top 10 list.
The sole top-selling model not made by Apple or Samsung was from Xiaomi. No Google handset sold enough to make the list.
