apple poised to Overtake Samsung as Top Smartphone Maker by 2025
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A new market forecast predicts Apple will surpass Samsung as the world’s leading smartphone vendor in 2025, maintaining that position thru at least 2029.
A report released Wednesday by Counterpoint Research projects a 9% year-over-year increase in Apple’s global smartphone shipments for the third quarter of 2025, marking the first time the company has overtaken Samsung in 14 years. This shift is fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup – including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max – which, according to the report, has exceeded initial expectations. Samsung, in comparison, experienced a 4.6% year-over-year growth in shipments for the same period.
iPhone 17 Drives Momentum
The positive reception of the iPhone 17 is a key driver of this projected growth. A senior analyst at Counterpoint noted that a meaningful number of customers are upgrading from older iPhone models, providing a substantial boost to Apple’s sales. “Consumers who purchased smartphones during the COVID-19 boom are now entering their upgrade phase,” the analyst stated.
Further bolstering this trend is the robust market for used iPhones. Between 2023 and the second quarter of 2025, an estimated 358 million second-hand iPhones where sold, and these users are increasingly likely to upgrade to new models in the coming years.
AI Delays Don’t Dampen sales
Despite delays in rolling out some artificial intelligence (AI) features,including a revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence,the iPhone 17 continues to perform strongly. Counterpoint observed that sales of the iPhone 17 are already exceeding those of the iPhone 16 released last year, particularly in the United States and China.
Future Innovation to Cement Apple’s Lead
Looking ahead, Counterpoint anticipates that Apple’s strategic introduction of new product categories – specifically a foldable iPhone and more affordable models like a potential iPhone 17E – will further solidify its dominance in the smartphone market. The company may also move away from its traditional annual release cycle.
By 2025, Apple’s global smartphone market share is projected to reach 19.4%, surpassing Samsung’s 18.7%.This shift signals a significant turning point in the highly competitive smartphone industry, with Apple poised to lead the market for the foreseeable future.
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Explanation of Changes & Answers to Questions:
* Why is this happening? Apple is poised to overtake Samsung due to strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup, fueled by upgrades from users who purchased phones during the COVID-19 boom and a robust used iPhone market. Strategic new product categories like a foldable iPhone and more affordable models are also expected to contribute.
* Who is involved? The key players are Apple and Samsung, with counterpoint Research providing the market analysis. Consumers upgrading their phones are also a crucial part of the trend.
* What is happening? Apple is projected to surpass Samsung as the leading smartphone vendor globally by 2025,a position it hasn’t held as 2011. Apple’s market share is expected to reach 19.4% compared to Samsung’s 18.7% by 2025.
* How did it end? The
