Apple Ships 55 Million iPhones, Claims Second Place in Q1 2025 Smartphone Market [Report]

Apple took the number-two spot in global smartphone shipments for the first quarter of 2025, moving 55 million units and grabbing a 19% market share, according to a fresh report from Canalys, now under Omdia's umbrella. The worldwide smartphone market barely budged, inching up 0.2% to 296.9 million units shipped, as companies tightened their inventory controls with the big replacement wave winding down.

Samsung held onto first place, shipping 60.5 million units, thanks to its new flagship phones and budget-friendly A-series models. Apple's strong showing came from solid demand in the U.S. and growing traction in Asia Pacific's emerging markets. The U.S. market, in particular, jumped 12% compared to last year, with Apple stockpiling inventory to brace for possible tariff changes. The company also ramped up iPhone production in India late in the quarter, churning out standard iPhone 15 and 16 models, plus the 16 Pro series, to dodge potential trade disruptions.




Xiaomi landed third with 41.8 million units shipped, holding a 14% share. Vivo shipped 22.9 million units, edging out OPPO's 22.7 million. "The regional smartphone landscape is becoming increasingly complex," said Toby Zhu, Principal Analyst at Canalys. "Markets that had shown strong momentum over the past year, such as India, Latin America, and the Middle East, are now experiencing notable declines in Q1 2025, indicating saturation in replacement demand for mass-market products." Meanwhile, Zhu noted that "some regions are still demonstrating strong demand," with China's growth spurred by government subsidies and Africa benefiting from "vibrant retail activities."

"The US smartphone market stood out, growing 12% year on year in Q1, primarily driven by Apple," said Le Xuan Chiew, Research Manager at Canalys. Apple's shift to increase iPhone production in India and its strong U.S. sales kept it in a solid position. Chiew added, "While iPhones produced in Mainland China still account for the majority of US shipments, production in India ramped up toward the end of the quarter, covering standard models of the iPhone 15 and 16 series, alongside accelerating production of the 16 Pro series." However, Chiew cautioned that "tariffs are also expected to disproportionately impact entry-level devices, potentially reducing the availability of lower-cost models and driving average selling prices (ASPs) higher in the US," which could pose challenges for Apple and its Android rivals.

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