iPhone 16e Helps Apple Take Q1 Top Spot in Global Smartphone Market

[Ad47uk]

If it is the 16E sales that are high, then it could be users of the Iphone SE that are updating, or just older Iphones. I don't think, but I could be wrong, that the 16E is going to pull many Android users over. It is still an expensive and a lot of Android users go for cheaper phones and the ones that go for more expensive ones normally choose Samsung, but they do go for others as well.
I could be completely wrong, just going by Android users I know. The 16E even for the base model is over £400 more than I would give for a phone.

 

[GuruZac]

I think the 16E is a great phone. It isn’t cheap but it has great specs overall, will be well supported for years, a great camera, and clean simple design.

 

[GuruZac]

by FAR the most attractive iPhone designs wise. No camera pimples on the back that look like a STD.
I tried it, but no chance to go back to 60hz

Yeah, if rumors of the 17 Air are true (ProMotion, Always on Display) it will be my next phone. Looks nicest in renders, it’ll be light weight as well.

 

[Baslea]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

 

[citysnaps]

Yeah, if rumors of the 17 Air are true (ProMotion, Always on Display) it will be my next phone. Looks nicest in renders, it’ll be light weight as well.

That's what I'm hoping for as well - and thinness so it can easily/quickly be removed (and put back) in the kind of shirts I like to wear (unlike my recent iPhones). Along with a decent camera.

 

[Warped9]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

The 16e is newer.

 

[TechRunner]

And the $349 ($249 most of the time)iPad

Especially at that sale price. My 7th Gen was the biggest bargain I've seen in a tablet when looking at it through the lens of price-to-performance.

 

[Pedersenko]

My next one will be Fairphone 6... I know, but it's better for this world

 

[Dr McKay]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

A lot of average people don’t research phones they just buy whatever their carrier steers them towards, it could also be like MKBHD suggested and corporations are buying these to issue as company phones.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

There is no 15 pro around where I’m at, and when there is, they’re usually refurbished from Apple for, checks notes, $929. Which is about $330 more than the 16e.
Outside of that, unless you are extremely lucky, you’re pretty much limited to used. Which, comes with its own set of trade-offs.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I think the 16E is a great phone. It isn’t cheap but it has great specs overall, will be well supported for years, a great camera, and clean simple design.

So why did you imply that it is for suckers?

 

[Baslea]

There is no 15 pro around where I’m at, and when there is, they’re usually refurbished from Apple for, checks notes, $929. Which is about $330 more than the 16e.
Outside of that, unless you are extremely lucky, you’re pretty much limited to used. Which, comes with its own set of trade-offs.

Who tf buys their devices (aside of fresh releases or Unidays discount) at Apple?

At Amazon Germany iPhone 16 and 16e both cost same (roughly 800€ incl. tax), while 16 Pro costs 950€.

 

[Ad47uk]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

I suppose it depends on what they want, maybe they think the 16E will be supported for longer, it has a newer chipset and processor, so should in theory be slightly faster.
i looked at the specs of both phones and to be honest, not much difference, the main difference is the camera.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16e - specs comparison

Compare Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16e with our phone comparison tool and get side-by-side specifications.

www.phonearena.com

I must admit , if I was buying a new phone, I would tend to get one that is pretty new model wise.
I did notice the 16E don't have Esim, while it makes no difference to me, it may put some people off.

 

[GuruZac]

So why did you imply that it is for suckers?

Huh? 🤔 Maybe I missed something…

 

[GuruZac]

I suppose it depends on what they want, maybe they think the 16E will be supported for longer, it has a newer chipset and processor, so should in theory be slightly faster.
i looked at the specs of both phones and to be honest, not much difference, the main difference is the camera.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16e - specs comparison

Compare Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16e with our phone comparison tool and get side-by-side specifications.

www.phonearena.com

I must admit , if I was buying a new phone, I would tend to get one that is pretty new model wise.
I did notice the 16E don't have Esim, while it makes no difference to me, it may put some people off.

If the 15 Pro and 16E could be had at the same price, then the 15 Pro does make more sense. ProMotion, always-on-display, triple camera layout, MagSafe, titanium (not really a selling point, but nice to have 🙃), Dynamic Island. The A18 vs A17 Pro is basically a wash as the RAM (8GB on both) is really what will matter long term. I personally think the 16E is a slick little phone though and I’ve not seen any new 15 Pro for similar price point at same storage tier close to the 16E.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Huh? 🤔 Maybe I missed something…

You gave a thumbs up to the following post...

"Excellent 16E sales prove that PT Barnum was correct."

PT's most famous quotation is ...There's a sucker born every minute....... (although there is no evidence he ever said it)

 

[svish]

Good to see the numbers. It looks like the 16e is doing well despite having a substantial increase in price. Good for Apple!

 

[Ad47uk]

If the 15 Pro and 16E could be had at the same price, then the 15 Pro does make more sense. ProMotion, always-on-display, triple camera layout, MagSafe, titanium (not really a selling point, but nice to have 🙃), Dynamic Island. The A18 vs A17 Pro is basically a wash as the RAM (8GB on both) is really what will matter long term. I personally think the 16E is a slick little phone though and I’ve not seen any new 15 Pro for similar price point at same storage tier close to the 16E.

I had no idea what pro-motion was, so I read up on it, I doubt it will bother most people and the different lenses for the camera, may be useful, I have four of them on my phone and yet I expect IO only use one 99% of the time. phone cameras are not that great anyway, even the best ones. If you want to take good photos or videos, then get something more suited. for everyday use, then it is fine.

People normally buy the latest, mainly because it is supported for longer, if you are going to pay a load of money for something then you want it to last for a few years, unless you are one of those that tend to renew your phone every couple of years.

My Oppo is 4 years old and was cheap when I got it, sure it is outdated by today's standards, but it works and does the job. Unless it go belly up, I will be keeping it for a while longer.

 

[ececlv]

Apple took the number one position in global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. It's the first time Apple has taken the top spot during a first quarter, capturing 19% of the global market.

The iPhone maker's success came despite economic uncertainties, with Apple benefiting from the iPhone 16e launch and strong performance in emerging markets. Starting at $599, the iPhone 16e was released by Apple in March to replace the iPhone SE, the most affordable device in the company's lineup.

Samsung followed in second place with 18% market share, continuing its gradual decline from 21% in Q1 2023. The Korean manufacturer experienced a slow start due to the late launch of its S25 series, but saw sales improve in March.

Xiaomi kept tight to its growth trajectory to secure third position with 14% of the market, up from 13% a year earlier. The Chinese company's expansion benefited from growth in its domestic market, where its entry into electric vehicles has enhanced its brand presence. Meanwhile, vivo and OPPO rounded out the top five.

The global smartphone market grew 3% year-over-year in Q1 2025, but Counterpoint has revised its annual forecast and now expects a slight decline for the full year. The adjustment is due to rising economic uncertainties, particularly related to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Counterpoint believes that economic volatility could lead consumers to postpone smartphone purchases, which could potentially disrupt the supply chain and increase trade risks.

Apple's performance was notably regional in nature. While sales remained flat or declined in the U.S., Europe, and China, the company achieved double-digit growth in Japan, India, Middle East and Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Article Link: iPhone 16e Helps Apple Take Q1 Top Spot in Global Smartphone Market

A research study that makes it hard to determine the source of the data --- hmmmm.....

 

[I7guy]

A research study that makes it hard to determine the source of the data --- hmmmm.....

That’s always my thought. But oh, well. Let’s use the data as we see fit without any thoughts as to if it’s accurate or how inaccurate it may be.

 

[justmadeupname]

How can people be so dumb buying 16e instead of 15 Pro for almost same price?

I can't find a new 15 Pro close to the price of the 16e, for me in the UK.

 

[Baslea]

I can't find a new 15 Pro close to the price of the 16e, for me in the UK.

Maybe next time don’t leave EU?

 

[Ad47uk]

Maybe next time don’t leave EU?

Next time? To be a next time we have to rejoin the E.U, that is not going to happen.
Thankfully.
The 15pro on Amazon is £1,054, even on Black Market they are over £500 for a second hand phone

 

[thebart]

This is why the 16e was never going to be better than it was. Apple knew all they had to do was: "here's the cheapest iPhone that doesn't look too different from the regular iPhone" and it'd sell like hotcakes

 

[justmadeupname]

Maybe next time don’t leave EU?

Just a suggestion..Maybe next time you can be clear in your responses, which country you could get a used iPhone 15 pro at a price close to a new iPhone 16e. That would have helped a lot more.