Khaberni - In a big surprise, the "iPhone 16" took the first place as the best-selling phone around the world during the third quarter of this year for the months of July (July), August (August), and September (September) 2025, despite the existence of more recent models and phones, especially the "iPhone 17" in its various editions.
According to the global phone sales index provided by "Counterpoint", Samsung and Apple occupied five spots in the top ten, contributing to about 20% of the total smartphone sales globally during this quarter.
Market share of 4%
According to "Android Headlines", "iPhone 16" led the sales with a market share of 4%, maintaining the top spot for the third consecutive quarter, attributed to increased sales in India, thanks to promotional offers during festivals and sustained economic recovery in Japan.
This has enabled the phone to limit the seasonal decline of the "iPhone 16" series, thanks to the launch of the "iPhone 17" series.
On the other hand, "iPhone 16 Pro" models saw a sharp decline, due to the biggest contributing markets, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, where consumers were waiting for the iPhone 17 series.
The "iPhone 17 Pro Max", which had limited availability by the end of the quarter, succeeded in securing the tenth spot in global smartphone sales for the third quarter of 2025, and was the best-selling model in September 2025.
Fifth generation phones
The research report adds that fifth-generation (5G) phones captured the top five spots for the first time in the third quarter.
While Samsung secured five spots on the list, all from the "Galaxy A" series, the Galaxy A16 5G was the top-selling Android smartphone this quarter, moving up one spot from last year, surpassing the "4G" model from the series.
Meanwhile, the "Galaxy A36" and "Galaxy A56" phones achieved higher sales than their predecessors, thanks to artificial intelligence capabilities. They also provided faster charging and longer operation time.
The "Galaxy A16 4G" and "Galaxy A06" are the only two LTE-connected smartphones on the list, and they remain mainstays in emerging markets such as Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.
Counterpoint notes that the "mid-range" phone sector is expected to maintain its strong position in the top 10 best-selling smartphones, thanks to the integration of "GenAI" features, which seems to enhance the competitiveness of this segment, boost consumer value, and bridge the gap between leading models.
Features of "iPhone 16"
The price of "iPhone 16" dropped by about 147 to 170 dollars after the launch of the new generation, making it an attractive option for those looking to save money while benefiting from strong specifications.
iPhone 16 relies on a traditional OLED screen and operates with an A18 processor. Although it remains strong in terms of daily performance, it is less efficient in battery life and fast charging compared to iPhone 17.
The phone provides high-quality photography, but lacks some flexibility and capacity in night photography offered by the new generation, and it remains a balanced economical choice for those who want an advanced device at a lower price.
