Counterpoint Research has released its annual list of the top 10 best-selling smartphones in 2023, and the picture is painted in shades of iOS blue. Apple devices swept the top 7 spots, led by the iPhone 14, leaving a trio of budget Android phones led by the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G clinging to a distant 8th place and beyond.
According to the report, Apple’s iPhone 14 clinched the top spot as the best-selling smartphone globally in 2023, followed closely by its counterparts, the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro, securing the second and third positions, respectively. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 Pro Max rounded up the top five spots, solidifying Apple’s stronghold in the market. The highest-ranked Android device, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, only managed to secure the eighth position on the list. This was followed by the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A04e in ninth place, with the 4G variant of the Galaxy A14 claiming the tenth spot. This glaring discrepancy underscores the struggle of individual Android devices to compete with the popularity and sales prowess of Apple’s iPhones.
The combined market share of the top 10 smartphones reached an all-time high of 20% in 2023, with iOS capturing a staggering 16% share compared to Android’s mere 4%. This performance explains why Apple’s total sales remained stable throughout the year despite major competitors experiencing declines. Part of Apple’s stability has been attributed to a significant boost in iPhone demand from emerging markets such as India, the Middle East, and Africa (MEA).
Samsung’s budget A series managing to capture three spots in the top 10 list of best selling smartphones in 2023 highlights its strong value proposition and widespread presence across various regions and customer segments. However, Samsung hasn’t managed to translate this success into the premium space. Its flagship Galaxy S series failed to make the top 10, raising questions about the effectiveness of its high-end offerings against Apple’s equally pricey iPhones.
Overall, the data from Counterpoint Research’s report paints a clear picture of Apple’s dominance in the global smartphone market, with individual Android brands struggling to keep pace. This raises the usual fragmentation concerns about Android, but it doesn’t change anything about it being the most popular OS in the world. The only problem is that Samsung is the only one bearing much of the burden in carrying Android against the iPhone, and unfortunately, this might not change anytime soon.
