The standard iPhone 16 is expected to remain popular until the iPhone 17 is released.

According to Counterpoint Research's Q2 2025 data on worldwide smartphone popularity, Apple holds the top three positions, mirroring the results from January to March. The standard iPhone 16 leads, followed by the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max in second place, and the iPhone 16 Pro in third.

The fourth best-selling device is now Samsung's budget-friendly Galaxy A16 5G, replacing the iPhone 15 from Q1 2025. Samsung also secured the fifth, seventh, and eighth positions with the Galaxy A06 4G, Galaxy A16 4G, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, respectively.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra fell from seventh to eighth place. However, maintaining a top ten ranking for two consecutive quarters is still a good result for a premium Android device that some buyers may consider expensive after its early 2025 launch.

Global sales of Android flagship phones typically decline quickly, so the Galaxy S25 Ultra's stable popularity is likely viewed as positive for Samsung.

The iPhone 16 remains the quarter's top performer, rising from 22nd place in Q3 2024 (with limited sales days) to third in Q4 (behind the 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro). It then surpassed its siblings in the first quarter of 2025 and significantly outsold them between April and June.

The iPhone 16 appears to be even more successful than the iPhone 15, which was the best-selling phone in both Q2 and Q3 2024.

The upcoming Q3 2025 Counterpoint report will reveal the rankings of the newly released iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. While it is unlikely for any of these models to break into the top five with less than two weeks of sales, the iPhone 16 Pro Max came close to achieving this in Q3 2024.

Reportedly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max had stronger pre-order numbers than its predecessor. While it currently outsells the other models, the standard iPhone 17 will likely become the best-selling model within the family and maintain that position for six to nine months.

The affordable iPhone 16e also deserves recognition for surpassing the iPhone 15, Galaxy A16 4G, and S25 Ultra in Q2 2025 sales. If the A16 4G and A16 5G were combined, their sales could potentially rival the iPhone 16 Pro and exceed the 16e.

Xiaomi's Redmi 14C 4G continues the company's trend of disrupting the Apple/Samsung dominance with an affordable model. It is ranked just behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra and ahead of the iPhone 15, falling one spot from Q1 and is expected to drop out of the top ten in Q3 due to its age.

Explore the most unique and memorable phones of the past two decades in "Iconic Phones," a beautifully illustrated book launching soon.

"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" is a coffee table book for phone enthusiasts, chronicling the technological revolution through the stories of over 20 popular phones. Sign up now for an early discount.