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Apple’s iPhone 16 ranked as the world’s best-selling smartphone model in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research’s announcement published January 29, 2026. That is a model-sales ranking for a particular year—not a finding that the iPhone 16 is the best phone for every buyer, or a ranking by revenue, shipments, or customer satisfaction.
What was the best-selling smartphone in 2025?
Counterpoint Research named the iPhone 16 the top-selling smartphone model globally for the full year 2025. Its announcement headline also says Apple claimed seven of the top 10 spots. MacRumors, reporting the same day and attributing the chart details to Counterpoint, says Samsung took the other three places and that the top 10 models together accounted for 19% of overall smartphone sales.
The 19% figure refers to the combined share for those 10 models, not the iPhone 16’s individual share. Counterpoint’s full-year announcement page does not expose the article body in the available version, so the detailed methodology and complete rank-by-rank chart cannot be confirmed here. The result should therefore be described as Counterpoint’s reported model-sales ranking, without recasting it as a shipment, revenue, or market-share leaderboard.
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A global annual ranking answers which individual model led the stated sales measure over that period. It does not establish why customers chose it, whether it outsold all competitors in every country or quarter, or whether it is the right phone for a particular person. The reported top-ten split shows Apple and Samsung together occupied those chart positions; it does not explain the purchasing decisions behind them.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Counterpoint separately reported the iPhone 16 at number one in Q1 2025. That is an interim quarterly result, not by itself evidence of the full-year outcome; the full-year claim is the separate ranking announced in January 2026.
iPhone 16 specifications at a glance
Apple’s specification page lists the iPhone 16 with an A18 chip, a 6.1-inch OLED display, a dual-camera system comprising a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, and a USB-C connector. It also lists MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging support. These are product details, not demonstrated causes of the model’s sales rank. Specifications and availability can vary by market, so check Apple’s local listing for the version sold where you live.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Sources and scope
- Counterpoint Research’s January 29, 2026 announcement names the iPhone 16 as the 2025 global leader and says Apple took seven top-ten places.
- MacRumors’ January 29, 2026 report attributes the top-ten details to Counterpoint, including Samsung’s three places and the 19% combined share for the top 10 models.
- Counterpoint’s Q1 2025 report is a separate quarterly result and identifies its Global Handset Model Sales Tracker.
- Apple’s iPhone 16 specifications page lists the hardware and charging standards described above.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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