San Francisco, CA – A recent report from Counterpoint has revealed that, for the first time ever, the top seven best-selling smartphone models of 2023 were all iPhones. The report, which tracks global sales of individual smartphone models, highlights the dominance of Apple in the smartphone market. The top three spots were all occupied by the iPhone 14 models, with the base model claiming the number one position. Despite the release of the iPhone 15 in September, the iPhone 13 also managed to secure a spot on the list, sandwiched between the 14 and 15 models.
According to Counterpoint’s 2023 smartphone chart, the iPhone SE, which is the cheapest iPhone available, did not make the list this year. The report suggests that the dated design and smaller size of the iPhone SE may not be resonating with consumers. Additionally, rumors are circulating that Apple may not produce another SE model in the future.
The report from Counterpoint also indicates that eight of the top 10 devices in the list were Apple phones, reflecting the enduring popularity of the iPhone in the global market. However, a Samsung phone managed to secure a spot at number four in the 2022 version of the report. Meanwhile, the bottom three spots in the 2023 report were all occupied by Samsung phones, specifically budget devices that may not be widely recognized by consumers.
Despite the fact that Samsung has numerous expensive flagship phones, the ones that are shipped at volume tend to be budget devices. For example, the bottom three spots on the list were taken by the Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A04e, and Galaxy A14 4G. These devices, priced from $100 to $200, represent the lower end of Samsung’s phone lineup.
In terms of product releases, the report also highlighted the disparity between Apple and Samsung. Between 2021 and 2023, Apple released a total of 13 phones, whereas Samsung released a staggering 89 different models during the same period. This stark contrast in product releases may contribute to the challenge of standing out in the market for Samsung phones.