In Q4 2024, the best-selling smartphones worldwide were last year’s iPhones, with the base iPhone 15 leading the pack. According to a recent market intelligence report from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 15 captured 3% of the total global smartphone market share, making it the world’s best-selling smartphone during the quarter. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro also made it to the top five, taking the second and third spots, respectively.
The dominance of the iPhone 15 series is typical for this time of year, as last year’s models often see strong sales due to the relatively short availability of newly released phones.
Consumers often opt for slightly older models to strike a balance between price and features. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, in particular, performed exceptionally well, closing the gap with the iPhone 15 as buyers sought the upgraded camera and display features. Apple’s financing and trade-in programs likely played a significant role in encouraging consumers to opt for the more expensive Pro models.
Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A15 4G rounded out the top five best-selling phones, claiming fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The popularity of Samsung’s A-series, especially in markets where budget-friendly options are key, highlights the strong competition Apple faces in the global smartphone market. However, the strong showing of last year’s iPhones suggests that consumers still prefer Apple’s offerings despite the presence of newer, competitive devices.
Although Apple saw a slight drop in overall market share, largely due to the stronger performance of Samsung’s phones, the company continues to maintain a solid hold on the top rankings.
This trend reflects how consumers, particularly in emerging markets, often find last year’s models to be a more affordable option without sacrificing key features like camera quality or display performance.
In summary, the iPhone 15 series led global sales in Q4 2024, with Apple’s Pro Max and Pro models securing second and third places, while older Samsung models claimed the remaining spots in the top five.
This pattern underscores the ongoing appeal of last year’s smartphones, particularly when they offer a good balance of performance, price, and availability.
