Apple Beats Samsung to Claim Top Spot in Global Smartphone Sales

According to data released on Monday by market research firm Counterpoint Research, Apple topped global smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year, driven by the launch of the iPhone 16e and strong demand in markets such as Japan and India.

The data showed that despite flat or declining sales in the U.S., Europe, and China, Apple still captured 19% of the global market share, followed closely by Samsung with 18%.

These figures indicate that while Apple has faced sales challenges in China due to competition from local players like Huawei and the lack of artificial intelligence (AI) features in iPhones, demand remains robust in emerging markets.

Another research firm, International Data Corporation (IDC), reported that global smartphone shipments grew by 1.5% in the first quarter, with Apple ramping up supply in advance to avoid potential new tariffs from U.S. President Trump. IDC primarily tracks shipments rather than consumer sales.

Previous media reports suggested that Apple had chartered flights to airlift as much as 600 tons of iPhones - equivalent to about 1.5 million units - from India to the U.S. to beat the potential implementation of new tariffs by the Trump administration.

Trump's unpredictable tariff policies and escalating global trade tensions have led to financial market turmoil, worsening economic outlooks, and rising inflationary pressures over the past two weeks.

Apple has been one of the hardest-hit tech giants in the recent stock market downturn, with its shares falling nearly 18% year-to-date as its supply chain falls within the primary targets of Trump's tariff policies.

However, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued updated tariff rules last Friday, exempting categories such as automatic data processors, computers, communication devices, displays and modules, and semiconductor-related products from "reciprocal tariffs".

This has given Apple some breathing room, and its stock surged on Monday as a result.