Counterpoint Research: iPhone 15 becomes the best-selling smartphone globally in 2024.

According to Counterpoint Research's global smartphone model sales tracking data, Apple Inc.'s iPhone 15 became the best-selling smartphone globally in 2024. Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) and Samsung continue to dominate the top ten list of best-selling smartphones globally, marking the third consecutive year without any other mobile brand entering the list. However, Samsung performed well in 2024, occupying four positions on the list, an increase from its three positions in 2023. Karn Chauhan, a senior analyst at Counterpoint, stated that the base model iPhone 15 from Apple Inc. led the global best-selling smartphone list in 2024, with sales from the United States and China combined accounting for almost half of its global sales. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro followed closely behind, becoming the second and third best-selling models, respectively. Consumer preference for the Pro versions significantly increased, with Pro models accounting for over half of the iPhone's total annual sales for the first time. The attractive installment payment plans and trade-in activities for iPhones have driven a trend towards premiumization, enabling more consumers to afford iPhones, especially in emerging markets. This trend has led to more consumers choosing the latest iPhone models, helping Apple Inc. enter the top five smartphone brands in India in the fourth quarter of 2024 for the first time. Comparison of market share of the top ten best-selling smartphones globally in 2024 and 2023: Regarding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Counterpoint research analyst Harshit Rastogi stated, "The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first Galaxy S series smartphone to enter the top ten annual best-selling list since 2018. This growth is mainly attributed to being the first smartphone with GenAI capabilities, which has sparked strong consumer interest. Samsung's emphasis on these innovative features has led to a strong performance in the market and gained them first-mover advantage. Features such as chat/note assistance, selection search, and real-time translation have garnered attention and widespread acclaim." In 2024, over half of the Galaxy S24 series sales came from the United States and Western Europe, a change compared to the 60% sales proportion of the Galaxy S23 series in 2023. Emerging markets like the Middle East and Africa also showed significant growth, reflecting Samsung's successful market expansion strategies. The Galaxy A15 series performed better in 2024 compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A14, with higher rankings than the A14 in 2023. The A15 achieved strong sales in multiple markets, with the most significant annual growth observed in the North American market. One out of every five Galaxy A15 series phones was sold in that region, mainly due to strong promotional activities and positive consumer reviews. The A15, with its rich features and affordable price image, further solidified Samsung's market position. It is anticipated that smartphones with GenAI capabilities will be increasingly accepted by consumers, with mobile brands using GenAI as a key differentiating selling point for high-end products. In 2024, five out of the top ten best-selling smartphones globally supported GenAI features. It is expected that this number will increase further in 2025.