Apple will overtake Samsung in the cell phone market in 2025 for the first time in 14 years, thanks to a 10% increase in iPhone sales compared to the previous year, according to forecasts released on Tuesday, November 26th.
A market study by Counterpoint Research cited by CNBC indicates that Apple is expected to end the year with a 19.4% share of the global ‘smartphone’ market, while Samsung is expected to lag behind, with 18.7%.
Specifically, the North American giant is expected to sell approximately 243 million iPhones worldwide this year, reported Counterpoint Research.
By region, sales of the new iPhone 17 and iPhone Air in the United States, in the first four weeks after launch, were 12% higher than those of the iPhone 16 series, excluding the iPhone 16e.
In China, sales of the iPhone 17 series during the same period were 18% higher than that of its predecessor, said the same source.
“In addition to the very positive market reception of the iPhone 17 series, the main factor for the improvement in supply forecasts is that the replacement cycle has reached its inflection point. Consumers who purchased ‘smartphones’ during the COVID-19 pandemic are now entering the upgrade phase”, stated the company’s analysts.
Samsung, in turn, may face challenges in the entry-level and mid-range segments of the smartphone market from Chinese manufacturers, which could hamper the South Korean giant’s ability to regain leadership, Counterpoint adds.