The latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that Apple shipped more iPhones in Q3 2025 than the same time last year. But Samsung increased smartphone shipments by even more.
According to the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Apple shipped almost 59 million smartphones during 3Q25. That was before the launch of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. Apple’s growth over the quarter slightly exceeded the industry overall.
Last year’s figures from IDC show that Apple shipped 76.9 million iPhones for the fourth quarter of the year. That number exceeded Samsung’s shipments by over 25 million units. I expect the figures for the final quarter of 2025 to show a similar bump..
It is interesting to note that the third, fourth, and fifth‑placed companies are largely unknown in Australia. Transsion has significant presence in Africa where it holds about half the smartphone market. Its presence in the top five is even more surprising as, even though it is a Chinese company, it does not sell phones in its home market.
When the full year figures are released in early 2026, we’ll see the full impact of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air launch. Initial reports suggest the new phones have outsold the iPhone 16.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.