Apple could become the world's largest smartphone maker for the first time in 14 years

Apple is poised to regain its title as the largest smartphone maker for the first time in 14 years, Counterpoint Research predicts. On the back of the successful launch of the iPhone 17 and the cycle of smartphone upgrades by users, analysts expect a jump in shipments in 2025 and an increase in Apple's market share to 19.4%, which will allow the company to overtake its biggest rival Samsung.

Deliveries of iPhone in 2025 will grow by 10%, and Apple's share of the global market will amount to 19.4%, Bloomberg reports citing data from the analytical firm Counterpoint Research. As a result, the U.S. company may become the leader in the global smartphone market for the first time since 2011, overtaking its longtime rival Samsung.

Last month, Apple confirmed that sales growth exceeded its expectations, and the holiday quarter could bring the company's revenue closer to a record $140 billion. The growth in iPhone shipments this year was driven by the successful launch of a new line of smartphones and an active wave of device upgrades, Bloomberg writes. Unveiled in September, iPhone 17 models were a hit in both the U.S. and China - the second key market for the company. An additional factor was the calmer background in trade relations between the U.S. and China, as well as the weakening of the dollar, which supported demand in emerging markets.

"In addition to the extremely positive reception of the iPhone 17 lineup in the market, a key factor in the increased supply forecast was the turning point in the device refresh cycle," said Counterpoint analyst Yang Wang. - Consumers who bought smartphones during the COVID-19 pandemic are now entering the refresh phase. In addition, 358 million used iPhones were sold between 2023 and the second quarter of 2025. These users are also likely to upgrade to new devices in the coming years."

In the long term, Wang notes, Apple will be able to gain even more traction with the release of a foldable iPhone in 2026 and a more affordable iPhone 17e model. The company will also unveil a major design refresh of its entire iPhone lineup in 2027. Against this backdrop, Counterpoint predicts that Apple will maintain its global smartphone market leadership until at least 2029.

At the trading on November 25, Apple shares jumped by 1.6% to $280.3. This became their maximum for the entire time of circulation on the Nasdaq exchange. Then, however, the quotes lost half of their growth.

The company's market value is up 11% since the beginning of the year, but Wall Street's consensus target price suggests it has upside potential of only 3% more from current levels.

60% of analysts covering Apple stock advise investors to buy it (Buy and Overweight ratings), MarketWatch data shows. Another 16% take a neutral stance with a Hold rating, while the rest suggest selling (Sell and Underweight).

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor