IDC: Smartphone shipments up 2.3% in Q4 2025, Apple is the clear winner
After over 14 years, Apple overtook Samsung as the top smartphone vendor in the world. According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), a total of 336.3 million smartphones were shipped in the last quarter of 2025, which represents a 2.3% rise compared to the same period in 2024.
Apple led the way with 81.3 million shipments for the period and a 24.2% global market share. Cupertino rode the success of its iPhone 17 series, achieving its highest quarterly revenue ever and its best Q4 growth since 2021.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
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While falling to second place, Samsung had a strong end to the year with 61.2 million shipments and an 18.2% market share. The Korean brand achieved impressive yearly growth of over 18% which is the highest of any brand in the top-5.
Xiaomi came in third with 37.8 million shipments and an 11.2% market share, while vivo (27M) and Oppo (26.9M) were tied for fourth place.
| Top 5 Companies, Worldwide Smartphone Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q4 2025 (Preliminary results, shipments in millions of units) |
|||||
| Company | Q4 25 Shipments | Q4 25 Market Share | Q4 24 Shipments | Q4 24 Market Share | Q4 24/Q4 25 Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apple | 81.3 | 24.2% | 77.5 | 23.6% | 4.9% |
| 2. Samsung | 61.2 | 18.2% | 51.7 | 15.7% | 18.3% |
| 3. Xiaomi | 37.8 | 11.2% | 42.7 | 13.0% | -11.4% |
| 4. vivo | 27.0 | 8.0% | 27.1 | 8.2% | -0.4% |
| 4. Oppo | 26.9 | 8.0% | 25.0 | 7.6% | 7.6% |
| Others | 102.1 | 30.4% | 104.8 | 31.9% | -2.6% |
| Total | 336.3 | 100.00% | 328.8 | 100.00% | 2.3% |
| Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, January 13, 2026 | |||||
Despite the ongoing memory chip shortage and a year filled with economic uncertainties like tariffs and supply chain disruptions, the global smartphone market achieved 1.9% growth. The sustained growth in the premium segment was accompanied by strong consumer demand fueled by anticipated price hikes.
Looking at the yearly stats, a total of 1.26 billion smartphones were shipped in 2025 and Apple was once again the clear winner. Cupertino achieved a record 247.8 million shipments for the period with a 19.7% global market share. In other words, 1 in every 5 phones shipped in 2025 was an iPhone.
Apple iPhone 17
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| 512GB 8GB RAM | $ 869.00 | £ 879.99 |
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Samsung came in second with 241.2 million shipments and a 19.1% market share while posting 7.9% yearly growth. Xiaomi managed 165.3 million shipments, while vivo and Oppo each contributed just over 8 million shipments.
| Top 5 Companies, Worldwide Smartphone Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, CY 2025 (Preliminary results, shipments in millions of units) |
|||||
| Company | 2025 Shipments | 2025 Market Share | 2024 Shipments | 2024 Market Share | 2024/2025 Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apple | 247.8 | 19.7% | 233.1 | 18.9% | 6.3% |
| 2. Samsung | 241.2 | 19.1% | 223.5 | 18.1% | 7.9% |
| 3. Xiaomi | 165.3 | 13.1% | 168.4 | 13.6% | -1.9% |
| 4. vivo | 103.9 | 8.2% | 101.2 | 8.2% | 2.7% |
| 4. Oppo | 102 | 8.1% | 104.8 | 8.5% | -2.7% |
| Others | 400 | 31.7% | 405.2 | 32.8% | -1.3% |
| Total | 1,260.3 | 100.00% | 1,236.3 | 100.00% | 1.9% |
| Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, January 13, 2026 | |||||
Looking ahead, 2026 is set to bring a different outlook for the smartphone market, with the ongoing memory chip shortage expected to severely upset supply chains. The market is expected to decline as smartphone prices will inevitably go up. According to IDC analysts, OEM size and scale will play a major factor in success, with larger players better suited to secure favorable component prices.
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- AnonF-1006353
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Not tech, rather fisherprice-like designed toys for people who don't know about tech
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