Apple’s iPhone 15 Was the Best-Selling Smartphone in 2024 – But Samsung’s Surprise Comeback Shook Up the Market

The global smartphone market in 2024 saw Apple’s iPhone 15 emerge as the best-selling device of the year, reinforcing the tech giant’s dominance. According to Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 15 lineup dominated the top ranks, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro securing second and third place, respectively. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra made an unexpected return to the top 10 list, marking the first time a Galaxy S-series device has appeared on the leaderboard since 2018.

Let’s break down the biggest winners in the smartphone market and the trends that defined 2024.

Apple’s Unstoppable Streak: iPhone 15 Leads the Pack

Apple once again set the pace in the smartphone industry, securing five spots in the top 10 best-selling smartphones of 2024. The iPhone 15’s global success was fueled by strong sales in the United States and China, where Apple continues to hold a dominant market share.

What set this year apart? A notable shift in consumer behavior. According to Counterpoint Research, for the first time ever, more than half of Apple’s annual iPhone sales came from the Pro models.

“The shift towards premium devices was driven by financing options and trade-in programs, making flagship iPhones more accessible to a wider audience,” analysts noted.

The list of best-sellers also included iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, proving that Apple's newer releases continued to resonate with consumers despite their late-year launch. The iPhone 14 also managed to hold its ground, showing the lasting appeal of older-generation iPhones.

Samsung Fights Back: Galaxy S24 Ultra and A-Series Shine

While Apple dominated the top spots, Samsung made a strong comeback, securing four positions in the top 10. The most surprising entry? The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which marked the return of the flagship Galaxy S series to the list for the first time in six years.

So, what made the Galaxy S24 Ultra a standout? Analysts attribute its success to AI-powered features like:

Chat/Note Assist – Helping users transcribe and summarize text effortlessly.  Circle to Search – A game-changing way to search online simply by circling content on the screen. Live Translation – Real-time language translation for calls and messages.

Beyond its premium flagship, Samsung’s budget-friendly A-series also performed exceptionally well. The Galaxy A15 5G, Galaxy A15 4G, and Galaxy A05 saw widespread adoption, particularly in North America, where one in five Galaxy A15 devices were sold.

“Samsung’s aggressive pricing strategy and AI-powered innovations helped the brand regain momentum in both the flagship and mid-range segments,” industry experts commented.

Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones in 2024

Here’s the full list of the best-selling smartphones of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research:

RankSmartphone1️⃣iPhone 152️⃣iPhone 15 Pro Max3️⃣iPhone 15 Pro4️⃣Galaxy A15 5G5️⃣iPhone 16 Pro Max6️⃣Galaxy A15 4G7️⃣Galaxy S24 Ultra8️⃣iPhone 149️⃣iPhone 16 Pro🔟Galaxy A05

What’s Next? The Future of Smartphones in 2025

Looking ahead, analysts predict that smartphones with Generative AI (GenAI) capabilities will dominate in 2025. In 2024, half of the top 10 best-selling smartphones already featured AI-driven enhancements, and this trend is expected to expand further.

With Apple doubling down on on-device AI with iOS updates and Samsung betting big on Galaxy AI, the race for the most intelligent smartphone is officially on.

Will AI-powered smartphones be the new standard in 2025? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the smartphone war is heating up. Stay tuned for more updates!