The smartphone world is split, not just by Android and iOS, but by how much you’re willing (or forced) to pay.
Fresh data from Counterpoint Research paints a clear picture of the Q1 2025 market, and if there’s one thing that’s loud and clear, it’s this: Apple is still the king of premium. The average iPhone was sold for a hefty $816 last quarter. Meanwhile, most Android phones were practically on a budget tour.
Let’s break it down.
Android ASPs: Welcome to the $200 club
Among Android brands, the Average Selling Prices (ASPs) for Q1 2025 stayed relatively grounded, and in some cases, stubbornly low:
- Samsung: $326 – comfortably leading the Android pack, likely thanks to its mix of foldables, S series flagships, and midrange A series devices.
- Vivo: $207 – consistent and solid, mostly riding on midrange momentum.
- OPPO (including OnePlus): $269 – slightly higher, perhaps boosted by recent premium OnePlus releases.
- Xiaomi: $155 – the lowest ASP in the lot, clearly focused on price-sensitive markets and aggressive budget offerings.
Let’s start with the Android heavyweights. Samsung, the shipment king, is keeping its ASP steady at around $326, a dip from last year’s $352. Sure, it’s leaning into value-packed models like the Galaxy A-series, but that means its average price tag isn’t climbing as fast as the global average. Still, Samsung fans in Kenya and beyond can’t complain — affordable power is their game!
Next up, Vivo wows us with an ASP hovering around $207, down from the previous $211. This clever brand is mastering the art of premium features at a wallet-friendly price, especially with hits like the X200 Pro. In Kenya, Vivo’s aggressive financing deals are making these devices even more irresistible — proof that you don’t need to break the bank for top-tier tech!
OPPO, including its OnePlus sibling, struts in with an ASP of $269, showing off a slight uptick from the previous average of $258 thanks to its premium Find X8 series. This brand knows how to blend style and substance, appealing to those who want a bit more bang for their buck. Meanwhile, Xiaomi keeps it real at $155, sticking to its roots of delivering solid performance without the hefty price tag — perfect for budget-savvy Android enthusiasts!
Now compare that to Apple’s $816, and you get a real sense of the ecosystem divide. Apple’s ASP is more than 5x Xiaomi’s and 2.5x Samsung’s. That’s not just brand value — it’s an entirely different customer base.
Global ASP hits record high
Despite Android brands largely playing it safe, the global smartphone ASP reached $364, the highest ever for a first quarter. Apple’s weight in the revenue game certainly helped, but Samsung’s high-end offerings and OPPO’s recent flagship pushes didn’t hurt either.
Comparing these numbers, Android brands are clearly diversifying their playbooks. Vivo and OPPO are climbing the premium ladder, while Samsung and Xiaomi hold the fort for value seekers. Against the global $364 benchmark, Android’s range from $155 to $326 shows a flexible approach — something Apple’s lofty $816 can’t quite match in accessibility. For Kenyan Android fans, this means more choices, whether you’re eyeing Vivo’s financing deals or Xiaomi’s budget champs.
So, while Android owns the volume game (Samsung shipped the most units this quarter), it’s Apple that keeps walking away with the fattest wallet.
