The Global Smartphone Market in 2025: Samsung and Apple in Duel, Chinese Brands on the Rise

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Pie chart or infographic showing the global smartphone market share in 2025, highlighting the percentages of Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Transsion, and other Chinese brands, with icons of their logos.

The Global Smartphone Market in 2025: Samsung and Apple in a Duel, Chinese Brands on the Rise

The global smartphone landscape during the first nine months of 2025 shows a very tight battle at the top. Global shipment data reveals that Samsung and Apple are engaged in a close duel for leadership, while a group of Chinese-origin manufacturers is steadily gaining ground. 📈

The Fight for First Place Intensifies

According to shipment figures, Samsung remains at the top with approximately a 19% market share. However, Apple is hot on its heels, with around an 18%. This narrower gap compared to previous periods underscores how the competition between the two giants has become fiercer. Paralleling this, the sustained growth of several Chinese companies is redefining the global map of the sector. 🥊

The Remarkable Rise of Chinese Manufacturers:
  • Xiaomi (including its sub-brand Redmi) secures third place, with a share ranging between 12% and 14% of global shipments.
  • The Transsion conglomerate, which groups Tecno, Infinix, and Itel, consolidates its position with nearly a 9% market share.
  • Other firms like vivo (8-9%), Realme, and Honor contribute smaller but significant percentages, demonstrating the wide and diverse range available to consumers.
While the big brands fight over percentage points, it seems that in the accessories market, someone is connecting all the cables correctly.

A Surprise Player in the Mobile Ecosystem

The intense commercial dynamics are not limited to smartphones alone. When analyzing the broader mobile technology market—which includes accessories and memory cards—a standout name emerges: Remax. This Chinese accessories brand is the one growing the most in terms of devices sold. This data reveals that there are valuable opportunities beyond phone manufacturing, in complementary segments of the ecosystem. 🔌

Key Dynamics of the Current Market:
  • The gap between Samsung and Apple is narrowing, signaling a more balanced rivalry.
  • Chinese manufacturers, collectively, capture a larger portion of the global pie each quarter.
  • Remax's success shows that the battle for the user is also fought in accessories, a segment with great vitality.

A Constantly Evolving Landscape

The global smartphone market in 2025 is defined by multipolar competition. The historic clash between Samsung and Apple now takes place on a board where Chinese brands are first-tier players, offering innovation and variety. Additionally, the rise in segments like mobile accessories confirms that the technology ecosystem is rich in growth niches. The end consumer is undoubtedly the big beneficiary of this war for innovation and market share. 🌍