Top 20 Best Selling Smartphones of last Decade (2015-2025)
Top 20 Best-Selling Smartphones of the Last Decade (2015-2025)👀👀
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| Photo by Andrey Matveev on Unsplash |
The smartphone industry has witnessed incredible evolution over the past decade, with technological breakthroughs, design innovations, and fierce competition among manufacturers. From the introduction of advanced camera systems to the rise of artificial intelligence features, these devices have become integral to our daily lives.
Based on global sales data and market research from leading analytics firms, here are the 20 best-selling smartphones that dominated the market from 2015 to 2025.
The Champions: Apple vs. Samsung Dominance
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| Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash |
The smartphone landscape of the last decade has been largely defined by two tech giants: Apple and Samsung. These companies have consistently captured the lion's share of the premium smartphone market while also competing in various price segments.
Top 20 Best-Selling Smartphones (2015-2025)
1. iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus (2014-2016)
Despite being released in 2014, these models continued dominating sales well into 2015-2016. The iPhone 6 series marked Apple's entry into larger screen sizes, fundamentally changing smartphone design trends. With over 220 million units sold combined, they remain among the best-selling touchscreen phones ever.
2. iPhone 15 (2023-2024)
The iPhone 15 claimed the top spot as the world's best-selling smartphone in 2024, according to recent market research. This model's success was driven by its USB-C adoption, improved camera system, and competitive pricing strategy.
3. iPhone 16 (2024-2025)
Building on its predecessor's success, the iPhone 16 became the best-selling smartphone in Q1 2025, marking the return of Apple's base model to the top spot after a two-year gap.
4. Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge (2016-2017)
These models represented Samsung's comeback after the Galaxy Note 7 recall crisis. The S7 series combined premium design with practical features like water resistance and expandable storage.
5. iPhone 12 (2020-2021)
The first iPhone with 5G connectivity, the iPhone 12 saw massive adoption during the pandemic era as consumers upgraded to support new network technologies.
6. Samsung Galaxy A Series (2018-2025)
Samsung's Galaxy A lineup, particularly the A10, A20, A30, and recent A06 and A16 models, have been consistent performers in the mid-range segment. The Galaxy A16 was notably the best-selling Android phone in early 2025.
7. iPhone 13 (2021-2022)
With significant camera improvements and better battery life, the iPhone 13 sustained strong sales throughout its lifecycle and remained popular even after newer models launched.
8. iPhone 11 (2019-2020)
This model struck the perfect balance between features and price, making it one of Apple's most successful launches. Its dual-camera system brought professional photography features to a broader audience.
9. Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8+ (2017-2018)
Revolutionary for their near-bezel-less design and Infinity Display, these models set new standards for smartphone aesthetics that influenced the entire industry.
10. iPhone 14 (2022-2023)
While not as groundbreaking as some predecessors, the iPhone 14 maintained steady sales through Apple's established ecosystem and brand loyalty.
11. Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+ (2018-2019)
These models refined the S8's design while introducing variable aperture cameras and improved performance, maintaining Samsung's premium market position.
12. iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max (2023-2024)
The Pro variants of the iPhone 15 series gained significant traction, with the Pro models contributing to half of total iPhone sales in Q3 2024 for the first time in a third quarter.
13. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (2017-2018)
This model restored confidence in the Note series after the Note 7 recall, combining the beloved S Pen functionality with premium features.
14. iPhone X (2017-2018)
Despite its high price, the iPhone X's Face ID technology and edge-to-edge display made it a trendsetter that influenced smartphone design for years.
15. Samsung Galaxy S10 Series (2019-2020)
The S10 lineup offered multiple variants catering to different user needs, from the compact S10e to the feature-rich S10+.
16. iPhone 12 Pro & Pro Max (2020-2021)
These professional-grade models introduced LiDAR technology and advanced camera systems, setting new standards for mobile photography.
17. Samsung Galaxy S24 Series (2024-2025)
The latest Galaxy S series, particularly the S24 Ultra, managed to retain spots in top-selling lists for multiple consecutive quarters, showcasing Samsung's continued innovation.
18. Redmi Note Series (2018-2024)
Xiaomi's Redmi Note lineup, including recent models like the 14C 4G, has been incredibly successful in emerging markets, offering flagship features at affordable prices.
19. iPhone 13 Pro & Pro Max (2021-2022)
These models introduced ProMotion displays and significantly improved camera systems, appealing to professional users and photography enthusiasts.
20. Samsung Galaxy S20 Series (2020-2021)
Samsung's first mainstream 5G smartphone series, the S20 lineup helped accelerate 5G adoption globally while introducing advanced camera zoom capabilities.
Market Dynamics and Trends
Brand Dominance
Throughout the decade, Apple and Samsung have maintained their duopoly in the premium smartphone market. Apple has shown remarkable consistency in the high-end segment, while Samsung has successfully diversified across multiple price points with its Galaxy A series performing exceptionally well in budget and mid-range categories.
Regional Variations
While Apple and Samsung dominate globally, brands like Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo have gained significant market share in specific regions, particularly in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets. The success of devices like the Redmi 14C 4G demonstrates the importance of localized strategies.
Technology Milestones
The past decade has seen several technological leaps: the transition from small to large screens (iPhone 6), the introduction of edge-to-edge displays (Galaxy S8, iPhone X), the adoption of multiple camera systems, 5G connectivity, and most recently, AI integration with features like Apple Intelligence.
Price Segmentation
Interestingly, both premium flagships and budget-friendly models have found success. While iPhone models consistently command premium prices, Samsung's Galaxy A series proves that consumers also value affordable options with essential features.
The Road Ahead
As we move further into 2025, the smartphone market continues evolving with artificial intelligence becoming a key differentiator. The success of recent models like the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 series suggests that consumers are still willing to upgrade for meaningful improvements in camera quality, battery life, and AI capabilities.
The competitive landscape remains intense, with manufacturers pushing boundaries in display technology, computational photography, and sustainable design. Foldable phones are gradually gaining traction, while 5G adoption continues expanding globally.
Conclusion💬
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| Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash |
The last decade of smartphone innovation has been remarkable, with these 20 models representing the pinnacle of mobile technology advancement. From the iPhone 6's size revolution to the iPhone 16's AI integration, each device has contributed to shaping how we interact with technology daily.
The consistent success of both Apple and Samsung demonstrates the importance of brand trust, ecosystem integration, and continuous innovation. As we look toward the future, the smartphone industry shows no signs of slowing down, with emerging technologies like augmented reality, advanced AI, and improved sustainability practices set to define the next decade of mobile innovation.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast tracking market trends or simply curious about which phones have shaped our digital lives, these 20 devices represent more than just sales figures—they're milestones in the evolution of human-computer interaction.
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