List of the Top 10 Best Selling Cellphones in the World in Q3 2025

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– iPhone 17 Pro Max has succeeded in breaking into the top 10 best-selling smartphones in the world for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025. 

This achievement was recorded in the Global Handset Model Sales Tracker report from Counterpoint Research, although the availability of these devices on the market was still limited towards the end of the quarter. 

In fact, Apple's latest model has been named the best-selling cellphone globally in September 2025. 

The report reveals that the iPhone 17 Pro Max occupied the tenth position in the list of best-selling smartphone models throughout Q3 2025. 

This success is quite surprising considering that the iPhone 17 series was only launched a few months earlier. 

One of the drivers of sales is the wave of iPhone users during the Covid-19 pandemic who are starting to replace their devices, looking for significant feature and performance improvements. 

The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a number of major improvements, especially in the camera sector. 

This phone is equipped with a professional-grade 48MP main camera sensor, advanced features such as ProRes RAW video recording and GenLock for precise time synchronization, as well as up to 8x optical telephoto zoom capabilities. 

Behind the scenes, its performance is supported by the latest A19 Pro chipset combined with a vapor chamber cooling system, making it reliable for tough creative tasks. 

Even though the newest variants are starting to creep up, Apple's dominance in the global market remains undeniable. 

The Cupertino-based company placed three of its models in the top three best-selling smartphones in the world throughout the third quarter of 2025, namely the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

iPhone 16 Maintains Three-Quarter Straight Domination

The regular version of the iPhone 16 managed to retain its title as the best-selling smartphone in the world in Q3 2025. 

This is also the third consecutive win for the model, which shows its consistent appeal in the eyes of consumers. 

iPhone 16 managed to achieve a market share of 4% of the total global smartphone shipment volume. 

The strong performance of the iPhone 16 was supported by a significant surge in demand in the Indian market, triggered by various attractive promos during the festive season. 

Apart from that, the steady recovery of sales in Japan also contributed. 

This combination of factors helped Apple stem the seasonal sales decline that the iPhone series typically experiences after the launch of a new generation. 

However, not all models in the iPhone 16 series have suffered the same fate. The iPhone 16 Pro variant actually experienced a sharper decline in sales. 

Counterpoint Research notes that consumers in large markets such as the United States, United Kingdom and China are starting to switch to the iPhone 17 which offers more substantial feature improvements. 

This shift shows that the high-end user segment is more responsive to the latest innovations. 

Apple and Samsung's Tight Duel in the Global Market

In the third quarter of 2025, the global smartphone competition map will be dominated by two giants: Apple and Samsung. 

The two brands share five positions on the list of the top 10 best-selling models, which collectively account for 20% of total smartphone shipments worldwide. 

This reflects high market concentration in the hands of two major players. 

While Apple excels with its flagship models, Samsung shows different strengths. 

The five Samsung models in the top 10 all come from the Galaxy A-series line, which has been the backbone of the South Korean company's global sales. 

This success confirms Samsung's strong position in the middle segment, which is very competitive but has large sales volumes. 

The Samsung models on the list include the Galaxy A16 5G, A06, A36, A6, and A16 4G. 

Samsung's strategy of offering adequate features at affordable prices at various levels of A-series models has proven effective in reaching the mass market. 

The following is a complete list of the 10 best-selling smartphones in the world throughout Q3 2025 according to Counterpoint Research:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e
• Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A06
• Samsung Galaxy A36
• Samsung Galaxy A6
• Samsung Galaxy A16 4G
• iPhone 17 Pro Max

The presence of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in tenth position, amidst the dominance of previous generation models and Samsung's mid-range smartphones, is an interesting signal. 

This shows that despite its premium price and limited availability, the attractiveness of the innovation in the Pro Max model is still able to attract certain segments of consumers who do not want to wait any longer. 

Major improvements in camera and performance, as highlighted in the Oppo Find X9 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera comparison, are the main selling points. 

Competition in the flagship class is getting hotter with the presence of other players. 

For example, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max also comes with specifications that are no less impressive, offering an alternative for consumers who want to compare before buying. 

On the other hand, charging issues that are often discussed, such as the charging speed of the OnePlus 15 which is claimed to be twice as fast as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, also influence the considerations of tech-savvy consumers. 

With the end of Q3 2025, the global smartphone market enters the final quarter of the year which is usually marked by the holiday shopping season. 

The next question is whether the iPhone 17 Pro Max can maintain its momentum and climb the rankings, or whether the dominance of the iPhone 16 and Galaxy A-series will remain unshakable. 

Shifting consumer preferences, especially in emerging markets, will be key in determining the competitive landscape in the next quarter.