Top-selling phones worldwide iPhones lead, but not everywhere

Who’s Buying What?

Have you ever stopped to think which phones people buy most across the world? The answers might surprise you. From iPhones taking the lead in some countries to local brands dominating in others, every market tells a different story.

Some prefer luxury and performance, others pick affordability and value. Let’s take a tour of the world’s best-selling phones as of March 2025 and see which brands people are loving in different parts of the globe. You might find some unexpected leaders along the way.

America Can’t Get Enough iPhones

Apple remains king in the U.S., capturing the top three spots again. The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with 11%, tied with the standard iPhone 16. Next comes the iPhone 16 Pro, which holds 8%.

Samsung secures its share with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy A16 5G, each earning 8%. Despite strong competition, Apple’s grip on American consumers remains firm thanks to its smooth performance, camera quality, and software support. U.S. buyers seem committed to Apple’s latest releases year after year.

UK Buyers Favor Apple’s Premium

In the UK, Apple holds a strong lead with its newest devices. The iPhone 16 Pro dominates with 12%, followed closely by the iPhone 16 at 11% and iPhone 16 Pro Max at 10%. Samsung finds its place with the Galaxy S24 at 6%. The more budget-friendly iPhone 16e secures 4%.

British consumers continue to prefer Apple’s range of devices, from premium flagships to affordable variants, appreciating both status and performance that the iPhone lineup delivers.

China’s Smartphone Battle Heats Up

China’s phone market sees fierce competition, with no brand clearly leading. The iPhone 16 Pro Max edges ahead with 4% of sales. Close behind are the iPhone 16 Pro and Huawei Nova 13, each at 3%.

The standard iPhone 16 takes 3%, while OPPO’s A3x grabs 2%. Chinese consumers enjoy a variety of choices from both domestic brands and Apple, making it one of the most competitive and rapidly shifting smartphone markets globally.

India’s Budget Market Stays Strong

India’s smartphone sales reflect the country’s huge demand for affordable models. Vivo Y29 5G leads with 4% of sales, followed by OPPO A3x and Redmi 14C 5G at 3% each.

The iPhone 16 and Redmi A3x claim 2% each. In India, price-conscious buyers flock to budget-friendly 5G devices that balance features and cost. While Apple holds a small share, local and Chinese brands dominate with their competitively priced, feature-rich smartphones, catering to the massive middle-class population.

Japan’s Love for Compact Phones

Japan’s consumers show a strong preference for smaller phones. The iPhone 16e dominates with 21% of sales, while the iPhone 16 claims 18%. The older iPhone 15 still holds 15%, and the iPhone 14 grabs 5%.

Google’s Pixel 8a surprises with 5%, reflecting growing interest in alternatives. Japanese buyers consistently lean toward compact, user-friendly phones that easily fit into daily life, making smaller models much more successful than in many other countries.

Germany Chooses Premium Models

In Germany, Apple leads with its high-end offerings. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro each take 10%, while the iPhone 16 Plus follows at 8%. Samsung holds ground with the Galaxy S25 Ultra at 7% and the Galaxy A16 5G at 5%.

German consumers favor cutting-edge technology and quality craftsmanship. They gravitate toward flagship models offering long-lasting performance, excellent displays, and robust ecosystems that fit both personal and professional lifestyles.

France Leans Into Variety

France shows a split between Samsung and Apple. The Galaxy S25 leads at 13%, just ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro at 12%. The iPhone 16 captures 9%, while the Galaxy S25+ and iPhone 16 Pro Max each score 7%.

French consumers appreciate having choices across both ecosystems, blending performance and aesthetics. Both brands thrive here due to France’s tech-savvy buyers who closely follow innovation and seek top-tier devices.

Korea Stays Loyal to Samsung

South Korea strongly supports its homegrown brand. The Galaxy S25 Ultra dominates with 21% of sales, followed by the Galaxy S25 at 15% and S25+ at 10%. The Galaxy A16 4G also claims 6%, while Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max secures just 5%.

Korean consumers remain fiercely loyal to Samsung’s flagship models, drawn by national pride, cutting-edge features, and consistent updates that keep Samsung’s devices leading the domestic market.

Apple’s Worldwide Brand Power

Apple’s global success reflects its strong brand reputation. The iPhone 16 series consistently appears across top rankings in countries like the U.S., the UK, Germany, and Japan. Consumers worldwide trust Apple’s seamless integration, dependable performance, and superior customer experience.

Features like regular software updates, security, and camera innovations keep Apple users locked into its ecosystem. The brand’s global presence remains unmatched, even as competition grows fiercer year after year.

Samsung Competes Globally

While Apple leads in many countries, Samsung keeps pace, especially in Asia and parts of Europe. Models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25+ remain favorites in Korea, France, and Germany.

Samsung’s constant innovation with displays, cameras, and battery life helps attract diverse buyers. Its mix of flagship and budget options lets Samsung appeal to both high-end users and price-conscious shoppers, allowing the brand to stay highly competitive across global markets.

5G Still Shapes Buying Choices

5G remains a major selling point, even in 2025. Many buyers specifically seek out 5G-ready phones for faster streaming, smoother gaming, and better connectivity.

In developing countries like India and China, affordable 5G models open new opportunities for first-time buyers. In mature markets, 5G is now expected as a standard feature, making it a must-have across most price ranges.

Mid-Range Models Rise Worldwide

Globally, mid-range models like Samsung’s A-series, OPPO’s A3x, and Redmi’s budget options are seeing steady growth. As flagship prices climb, many buyers turn to these devices for dependable performance at lower costs.

Strong cameras, solid processors, and 5G support make mid-range phones increasingly attractive for practical buyers who want modern features without the hefty price tag of premium models.

Camera Quality Drives Choices

For many buyers, camera performance heavily influences phone purchases. Apple’s iPhones remain industry leaders with consistent photo and video quality across models.

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra offers powerful zoom and detail, while Google’s Pixel line impresses with software-based photo enhancements. Consumers worldwide prioritize cameras for daily memories, social media, and travel, often choosing phones based on how well they capture life’s best moments.

Foldable Phones Gain Global Attention

Foldable phones are becoming a real conversation starter. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models continue to generate buzz in multiple countries.

Although still pricey, more consumers are curious about foldable tech for its futuristic design and multitasking capabilities. As prices slowly drop and durability improves, foldables may soon become a regular part of many smartphone lineups worldwide.

Wondering how Apple’s foldable might change the game for Galaxy Z Fold? Take a peek at what could be coming next.

The Changing Smartphone Landscape

This year’s sales show just how diverse global phone preferences have become. Apple dominates many Western markets, while Samsung holds Korea and parts of Europe. In countries like India and China, local brands offer strong competition through affordability and innovation.

As new technologies like AI and foldables develop, the global smartphone race will keep shifting. Buyers everywhere now have more powerful, affordable, and personalized options than ever before.

Curious which foldables are worth your money this year? Check out our top picks for the best foldable phones of 2025.

Which phone trend surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments, we’d love to hear what’s hot (or not) in your country.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.