Apple’s iPhones have locked down the top four spots in 2025’s best-selling smartphone rankings, reinforcing the brand’s unshakable grip on the premium market. The iPhone 16, 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro Max collectively outpaced competitors, with Apple and Samsung commanding 19% of global sales—a figure that underscores how the two giants dominate high-end demand.
The iPhone 17 series, in particular, delivered a standout performance, posting a 16% sales jump over the iPhone 16 lineup in its first full quarter. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 remains the year’s top seller, cementing Apple’s lead in both volume and growth.
Yet not all iPhones thrive equally. The iPhone Air, despite aggressive pricing—including a $286 discount on Tmall and an additional $57 subsidy from JD.com—has sold a mere 200,000 units in China, a fraction of the 17 million iPhone 17 devices moved globally. The model’s steep depreciation (losing 47.7% of its value in just 10 weeks) and stripped-down specs—a single 48MP camera, weak battery, and single speaker—appear to have alienated buyers seeking a mid-range alternative.
Apple’s market share is on track to hit 19.4% in 2025, up from 10% year-over-year growth, with projections of 255 million iPhones shipped—nearly 24 million more than 2024. In China, Apple’s October sales hit 25% of the local market, a rare repeat of its 2022 dominance.
What’s next? With the iPhone 18 series rumored to introduce DSLR-inspired camera upgrades and Starlink connectivity, Apple’s focus remains on premium innovation. But the iPhone Air’s failure suggests even deep discounts can’t bridge the gap between a budget-friendly vision and the brand’s core audience.
