The best-selling smartphone of 2024 is the iPhone 15, and Samsung has three models on the list as well: Canalys

According to a market research agency, Apple topped the list of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that supplied the most smartphones in 2024. Even though it only made its debut in September 2024, the Cupertino-based tech giant's flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max became an overwhelming success, and up to seven of its iPhone models were listed among the top 10 best-selling smartphones of 2024. With the Galaxy A15, Samsung, meanwhile, barely earned a spot in the top five rankings.

Notably, Apple's most recent iPhone 16 series helped it take the lead in Q4 2024 with a 23 percent market share.

2024's Top-Selling Smartphones
According to a report by market research firm Canalys, the worldwide smartphone market reached 1.22 billion units in 2024, growing 7% year over year (YoY). After two years of declining smartphone shipments, this is reportedly the first comeback. Despite a 1% drop in iPhone shipments to 225.9 million units in 2023, Apple maintained its position as the business with the highest smartphone shipments.

In 2024, Samsung shipped 222.9 million smartphones, a 1% decrease from the previous year, placing it just behind Apple. With a 15 percent increase to 168.6 million units, Xiaomi finished third on the list, continuing its impressive rise. Fourth place went to Transsion Holdings, which owns brands like Tecno, Infinix, and Itel. Oppo, which includes OnePlus, completed the top five.

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max were in second and third place, respectively, on the 2024 best-selling smartphone statistics, while the iPhone 15 topped the list. The iPhone 16 Pro rounded out the top five list, while the Galaxy A15, the only other phone in the top five rankings, came in at number four. Interestingly, the top 10 best-selling list featured devices from only two brands: Apple and Samsung. With seven iPhone models, Apple led the market, followed by Samsung with three products, however only the Galaxy S24 Ultra was a flagship model. The following is the complete list of the top ten smartphones in terms of sales:

iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 Pro Max
Smartphone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A15
iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro
5G Samsung Galaxy A15
iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

According to the market research agency, 2025 would bring with it regional and global complexity. As a number of markets reach saturation, growth is said to have stalled. In order to succeed, vendors might need to strike the right balance between inventory control, short-term performance, and long-term investments.