Global Smartphone Market Grows 3% in Q3 2025 Samsung Takes The Crown

After a sluggish start, the global smartphone market is buzzing again! Omdia’s latest report reveals a vibrant Q3 2025, with shipments hitting a staggering 320.1 million units. This isn’t just a number; it’s a 3% yearonyear leap, signaling a powerful rebound after a quiet first half. Leading the charge is Samsung, capturing the crown with a dominant 60.6 million units shipped. Apple trails closely behind, solidifying its position as a heavyweight contender. The smartphone wars are far from over!

Global smartphone market shipped 320.1 million units in Q3 2025

2025’s first half felt like wading through quicksand. A perfect storm of woes – a US tariff policy shake-up triggering supply chain chaos, sluggish retail foot traffic, and vendors scrambling to shed excess inventory – conspired to keep market volume stubbornly flat, a disappointing echo of the previous year’s performance.

The winds shifted in Q3 2025, breathing life back into the market. Samsung, Apple, Transsion, and Honor collectively surged forward, shipping over two million more units than the previous year. This powerful upswing propelled the entire market back into growth territory.

Samsung takes the top spot, followed by Apple

Samsung Steals the Show: A 6% Leap Forward!

Samsung’s year-over-year growth is exploding, fueled by the innovative Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, and the budget-friendly Galaxy A07 and A17. The real secret weapon? The Galaxy A series conquering markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, flooding the zone with impressive sales and driving total shipments sky-high.

While Samsung leads the pack, Apple’s hot on its heels, shipping 56.5 million iPhones with a 4% year-over-year surge. The surprise star? The standard iPhone 17, reportedly smashing forecasts. But the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the true global heartthrobs, with demand remaining sky-high. All eyes are now on booming markets like India, predicted to fuel Apple’s continued climb throughout the year.

Xiaomi’s growth stalled, creeping up a mere 1% to 43.4 million units this quarter. While Chinese shipments stumbled post-subsidy, gains across Asia-Pacific and beyond cushioned the fall. Transsion, meanwhile, surged into fourth place, flexing a remarkable 12% year-over-year growth with 28.6 million units shipped. Hot on its heels, Vivo secured fifth place, shipping 28.5 million units and marking a respectable 5% annual climb.

There are challenges

Global tech shipments surged in Q3, defying expectations! While North America and Greater China experienced year-over-year dips, explosive growth in other regions powered the worldwide market forward. Africa led the charge with a staggering 25% year-over-year shipment boom. Asia-Pacific also shone, posting a 5% increase its strongest quarterly performance since late 2021. This surge highlights shifting global demand, with burgeoning markets driving growth amidst headwinds in established territories.

The smartphone market is a tale of two extremes. Forget the middle ground – it’s the bargain basement and luxury suites that are booming. Sub-$100 phones and those shimmering, $700+ flagships are fueling the industry’s growth, leaving mid-range models in the dust.

The market’s pulse quickened in Q3, but storm clouds are gathering. Omdia warns that component scarcity and escalating costs threaten to derail the recovery. Brace yourself: new gadgets may carry a premium, and the budget-friendly segment could hit a wall.

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