7 out of 10 best-selling smartphones were iPhones in 2023

If you've noticed an increasing number of people wielding iPhones, your observation aligns with recent data from Counterpoint Research. In their latest report on the top smartphone models globally, an impressive seven out of ten are iPhones, with the iPhone 14 leading the charge.

However, the true standout performer was the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which secured the title of the best-selling smartphone in Q4 2023. The limited upgrades from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14 prompted buyers to gravitate towards the Pro models, significantly boosting Apple's sales mix in this segment last year.

While Apple managed to sell an impressive 10 million iPhones in India alone in 2023, the majority of sales were still dominated by the US and China. Together, these two countries accounted for half of iPhone sales during the year.

Despite the aging hardware, the iPhone 13 retained its position at number four, benefiting from promotions in markets like Japan and offering a compelling value proposition in India. Apple's overall sales remained steady year-over-year, with declines in some regions offset by notable growth in emerging markets such as India, the Middle East, and Africa.

On the Android front, Samsung's budget-friendly A-series secured three spots in the top ten, with the A14 5G leading the pack at number eight. This model gained popularity in the US and India, emerging as the top seller in 2023. The A04e and A14 4G also made the list, appealing to cost-conscious consumers in markets like Brazil and Mexico.

In total, the top ten smartphone models captured a record 20% of total smartphone sales in 2023, up from 19% the previous year. Counterpoint analysts predict further growth in this percentage in 2024 as brands streamline their product portfolios. Additionally, they anticipate Chinese OEMs making inroads into the top ten, marking a shift from the traditional dominance of Apple and Samsung.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint expects that with 5G connectivity becoming the new standard, all of the best-selling models in 2024 will likely offer support for 5G networks.