iPhone 17 Helps Apple Reclaim Top Spot From Samsung After 14 Years

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to reclaim the title of world's largest smartphone maker for the first time since 2011, driven by the success of the iPhone 17 lineup, according to Counterpoint Research data (via Bloomberg).

Based on the firm's data, iPhone shipments are projected to grow 10% in 2025, easily outpacing Samsung's 4.6% growth. As a result, Apple is expected to capture a 19.4% global market share as the overall smartphone market expands 3.3% for the year.

The iPhone 17 series has posted double-digit year-over-year sales growth in both the U.S. and China. Counterpoint previously reported that the iPhone 17 lineup outsold iPhone 16 models by 14% during the first 10 days of availability in those markets, and that Apple had a record October in China with sales jumping 37% year-over-year.

Apple is also benefiting from easing U.S.-China trade tensions and a weaker dollar that has boosted purchases in emerging markets.

Counterpoint analyst Yang Wang said the key driver behind the upgraded shipment outlook was a replacement cycle "inflection point," as consumers who bought phones during the pandemic boom are now ready to upgrade. Wang noted that 358 million secondhand iPhones were sold between 2023 and Q2 2025, representing another pool of potential upgraders.

Looking ahead, Wang expects Apple to extend its lead with the 2026 launch of its first foldable iPhone and a budget-friendly iPhone 17e, followed by a major iPhone design overhaul in 2027, in celebration of the device's 20th anniversary.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Helps Apple Reclaim Top Spot From Samsung After 14 Years

 

[omenatarhuri]

Basemodel does seem like a great phone, strangely more appealing than the brick like Pro or the nerfed Air.

 

[chmania]

The world's largest smartphone maker is China, where even the iPhone is produced. China manufactures over 60% of all mobile phones globally.

 

[Paddle1]

Apple didn't hold back on features this year. Hope they see the success and do it more often.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The iPhone 17 line would be more appealing, for me, if they didn't have liquid glass.

 

[t0rqx]

In the meantime there are widespread issues with the front and bottom speaker of all 17 Pro models. Why is nobody reporting on that?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

iPhone 5.7” 6.3” 6.9”
iPhone Ultra (thicc) 5.7” 6.3” 6.9”

And fix camera control, with that button to be used only for taking fast photos and rapidly initiating a video recording. Pare down to a simple QuickSnap button with speed in mind, with QuickView (half-press) preview camera view that stops shy of fullscreen awaiting a full button press, or the user to let go the bottom to exit the view—a handy view to play with—from inside any app or from the lock screen. Will I, won’t I, always at the ready.

Optional feature in Settings > Camera > QuickSnap: Take a photo and open Camera with a single press of QuickSnap button (by default two presses are needed to open Camera and then take a photo).

That is all.

 

[Pudlo]

It was so easy as making the base model usable

 

[WarmWinterHat]

iPhone 5.7” 6.3” 6.9”
iPhone Ultra (thicc) 5.7” 6.3” 6.9”

And fix camera control, for taking fast photos and initiating fast videos only. Simplify to a simple QuickSnap button, with QuickView preview-camera-view feature that stops short of fullscreen until you compress the button full, or let go to exit—a handy view to play with—from inside any app or from the lock screen.

That is all.

iPhone Ultra. A phone with the durability aspects of the Watch Ultra, including the waterproof ratings, and a raised lip around the screen.