Apple has recently reached the highest market share for smartphone sales since Corona pandemic. Sales were driven by US Customs Care and Subsidies in China.
• Apple’s share of worldwide smartphone sales grows
• iPhone benefits from customs worries and subsidies
• Missing Ki-Siri obviously not relevant
According to the preliminary data from the “Global Monthly Sales Report” from Counterpoint Research, Apple has increased its share of global smartphone sales in April and May 2025 since Corona pandemy. In these two months, iPhone sales increased by around 15 percent compared to the same period in the previous year and, according to the market researchers, reached the highest level of all time.
iPhone sales benefit from customs worries and subsidies
According to Counterpoint, there were strong growth compared to the previous year at the iPhone sales in Japan, the Middle East and India. There, the sales plus was in the double -digit range. But in the USA and China, Apple was again able to record positive growth after returning in the past three years in the period in April and May, which is considered less seasonal depending on the season. In China, according to the market researchers, Apple even conquered the top position, which “a remarkable turn after continuing market share losses and strong competition by Huawei and other”.
An essential driver for the strong iPhone sales, the threat of US President Donald Trump, expressed in May, should have been to raise import duties in the amount of “at least 25 percent” to iPhones produced abroad if Apple should not shift production to the USA. But also the Zollhammer against China and numerous other countries that are on Apple’s list of suppliers in April should have contributed to the fact that customers can quickly access the iPhone to advance the tariffs and associated price increases.
In China, according to Counterpoint, government subsidies for devices under 6,000 Yuan (around $ 833) had helped to promote iPhone sales.
Promising prospects for the entire second quarter
With the strong months of April and May, Apple succeeded in the second quarter of the iPhone. “The iPhone performance in the second quarter is currently promising, but as always, the fluctuations in both directions are determined by two markets – the USA and China,” Senior Analyst Ivan Lam is quoted in a press release from Counterpoint. However, it will still have to be shown whether Apple can also maintain the swing in June and actually celebrate a very successful second quarter. “We ask ourselves two things: In the past two months in the United States, we were about consumers due to customs fears? And in China there are still scope in view of the state subsidy offensive and attractive offers to stimulate iPhone sales?” Lam continued. The answer to these questions should be crucial for whether the sales figures continue to develop upwards or – due to early purchases from customers – break in in the following months.
In the first quarter of 2025, Apple was able to convince with its iPhone sales and, according to the “Global Handset Model Sales Tracker” by Counterpoint Research, placed five of its smartphone models among the top 10. At the top of the ranking of the most frequently sold smartphones worldwide, the iPhone 16 – for the first time in two years, was again a basic variant of the Apple flagship. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 15 followed in places second, three and four, while the iPhone 16 Plus had to be satisfied with tenth.
Agentic-Ki probably not yet a purchase argument for iPhones
The fact that the iPhone sales attracted in April and May, although Apple has postponed the AI version of his voice assistant Siri for an indefinite period, also shows that AI agents are apparently not yet so important to buyers. “The increasing demand in the USA and in particular in China at this time tells me that the need for Agentic Ai does not matter for most smartphone buyers in the decision -making process – especially not for those who want to upgrade an iPhone,” said Jeff Fieldhack, General Manager at Counterpoint Research. This should be an advantage for Apple. “I would say Apple has given itself time to prepare and deliver something very special with Siri in the upcoming versions,” continued Fieldhack. It remains to be seen whether the group succeeds.
Editor finance.net
By the way: Apple and other US shares are even tradable at Finance.net Zero until 11 p.m. (without order fees, plus spreads). Open Depot now for free And receive a free stock as a gift.
Selected leverage products on Apple
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply choose the desired lever and we will show you suitable open-end products on Apple
The lever must be between 2 and 20
Advertising