Walk into any coffee shop in London, New York, or Tokyo, and you’ll see a sea of glowing Apple logos. It feels like everyone has an iPhone. But hop on a train in Mumbai or a bus in São Paulo, and the reality shifts dramatically. Suddenly, the most popular phone in the world isn't just one device—it's a moving target between premium status symbols and the unheralded workhorses that actually keep the planet connected.
Honestly, 2025 has been a weird year for the mobile industry. For over a decade, Samsung held the crown for total units shipped. But the latest data from IDC and Counterpoint Research shows a massive shift. Apple finally climbed to the top spot for the full year of 2025, capturing roughly 20% of the global market. Samsung trailed by a hair at 19.1%. We're talking about a difference of just a few million units in a market that moves over 1.2 billion devices a year.
It's a tight race.
What Is Most Popular Phone in the World Right Now?
If we’re looking at specific models rather than just brand names, the answer usually starts with a "16." According to preliminary 2025 data, the iPhone 16 is currently the best-selling individual model globally. It hit that sweet spot of being "new enough" while avoiding the eye-watering price tag of the Pro Max.
But wait. There’s a massive "but" here.
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While Apple dominates the "most popular" lists in terms of revenue and high-end sales, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is arguably the most important phone you’ve never used. In emerging markets across Asia and Africa, this is the device that actually moves the needle. It doesn't have a titanium frame or a 5x optical zoom, but it has a screen, a battery that lasts two days, and it costs about a fifth of an iPhone.
The Top 5 Heavy Hitters
Looking at the volume of units shipped throughout late 2024 and into 2025, the leaderboard looks something like this:
- iPhone 16: The default choice for the average buyer in the US and Europe.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Despite being the most expensive, it consistently ranks #2 or #3 because people are willing to finance "the best."
- Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: The king of the mid-range. It sells millions of units in India and Latin America.
- iPhone 15: Last year's model stays popular because of the "entry-level" price drop.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The top-tier Android choice, especially for those who want the S-Pen and AI features.
Why the iPhone 16 Pro Max Sells So Well
It feels counterintuitive. Why would one of the most expensive phones also be one of the most popular? Basically, it comes down to the "premiumization" of the market. People are keeping their phones longer—three or four years instead of two. If you're going to hold onto a device for that long, you're more likely to splurge on the one with the best camera and the biggest battery.
Carriers also play a huge role. In the US, you can barely walk into a store without being offered "free" iPhones via 36-month trade-in deals. This hides the actual $1,200 price tag and turns a luxury item into a monthly utility bill. It’s a genius move that has essentially cemented Apple's lead in the "flagship" category.
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The Quiet Rise of Xiaomi and "The Others"
While we obsess over the Apple vs. Samsung rivalry, Xiaomi is sitting comfortably in third place with about 13% of the world's market share. They don't really sell in the US, which is why Americans often forget they exist. But in Europe and China, the Redmi Note 13 and the newer Redmi 14 series are absolute monsters.
Xiaomi’s strategy is simple: give people 90% of a flagship's features for 40% of the price.
Then you have brands like Vivo and Oppo, which dominate the "offline" markets—physical stores in rural areas where brand trust is built through local sponsorships and massive billboards. They’ve actually managed to push back against the giants by focusing on specific features, like insanely fast charging (we're talking 0 to 100% in 20 minutes) that makes Apple’s charging speeds look like they're from 2012.
Surprising Growth in 2025
- Google Pixel: The Pixel 9 and 10 series finally gained real traction, growing about 25% year-over-year.
- Nothing: The "cool kid" brand saw a 31% jump in shipments, though they're still a niche player compared to the big guys.
- Huawei: They've made a shocking comeback in China, reclaiming the #1 spot there and hurting Apple's local sales significantly.
Is the "Most Popular" Title About to Change?
We’re heading into a "DRAM crisis" in 2026. Basically, there’s a shortage of memory chips because everyone is pouring resources into AI data centers. This is going to drive up phone prices across the board.
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When prices go up, the "most popular" phone usually shifts from the $1,000 flagship to the $400 mid-ranger. If Apple can't keep its entry-level prices stable, we might see Samsung’s A-series or Xiaomi’s Redmi line take the #1 spot globally by the end of next year.
Also, watch out for the "iPhone Air" or "iPhone 17 Slim" rumors. If Apple launches a thinner, more "lifestyle" oriented phone at a slightly lower price point than the Pro models, it could easily become the new most popular phone in the world by the time 2026 rolls around.
How to Choose Based on What Everyone Else Is Buying
If you're looking at the charts and wondering which one to buy, don't just follow the crowd. The "most popular" phone is often just the one with the best marketing budget.
- Go for the iPhone 16 if you want the highest resale value and an ecosystem that just works. It’s the safe, "popular" choice for a reason.
- Pick the Samsung S25 Ultra if you actually use your phone as a computer. The multitasking and S-Pen are still miles ahead of what iOS offers.
- Look at the Google Pixel 10 if you want the "smartest" phone. Google’s AI features like Call Assist and Magic Editor are actually useful, not just gimmicks.
- Consider a Xiaomi or OnePlus if you’re tired of paying the "brand tax" and just want a great screen and fast charging.
The global smartphone market is finally growing again, but it’s more fragmented than ever. Whether you want the status of an iPhone or the value of a Galaxy A-series, you're part of a massive global machine that ships three million phones every single day.
To make the most of your next purchase, check your carrier's trade-in values specifically for the high-end Pro models; often, the "most popular" phone is actually the cheapest one to own over three years because it holds its value so well. You should also verify if your region supports the specific 5G bands of international models like Xiaomi before importing, as "global popularity" doesn't always equal local compatibility.