INDUSTRY BRIEF: Apple takes 2025 smartphone crown, Xiaomi finishes third

Apple (AAPL.US) was the world’s top smartphone seller in the fourth quarter, taking the crown from rival Samsung (005930.KS), as both companies recorded strong year-on-year growth. Meantime, Xiaomi (1810.HK) held on to the third largest spot despite recording a sales decline, and budget brand Transsion (688036.SH) dropped out of the world’s top five smartphone makers, replaced by Chinese rival Oppo, according to new data published on Wednesday.

Apple shipped 81.3 million smartphones during the fourth quarter, up 4.9% year-on-year and ahead of Samsung’s 61.2 million units shipped, which was also up 18.3%, according to new data from IDC. Xiaomi shipped 37.8 million smartphones during the quarter, down 11.4% year-on-year. Vivo finished fourth with 27 million units shipped, while Oppo was fifth with 26.9 million units shipped.

Transsion, which was the world’s fourth largest smartphone seller in the third quarter, fell out of the top five in the fourth quarter.

Apple was the world’s top smartphone seller for the year with 19.7% of the market, followed by Samsung with 19.1%. Xiaomi was third at 13.1%, followed by Vivo and Oppo with 8.2% and 8.1%, respectively.

Shares of Xiaomi were down 0.3% in Wednesday afternoon trading, and are up 12.2% over the last 52 weeks. Shares of Transsion were up 1% on Wednesday afternoon, and are down 26.3% in the last 52 weeks.

By Doug Young

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