Yes: Counterpoint Research ranked Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max as the world’s best-selling individual smartphone model in calendar Q1 2024 (January 1 through March 31). Its Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker put the Pro Max first, ahead of nine other Apple and Samsung models. The result measures model sales, not which phone was best for buyers, which brand sold the most phones overall, or which model earned the most revenue.
The complete global top 10 for Q1 2024
Counterpoint’s reported ranking contained five Apple models and five Samsung models. It is a global model-sales list, not a country-by-country ranking.
| Rank | Model | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple |
| 2 | iPhone 15 | Apple |
| 3 | iPhone 15 Pro | Apple |
| 4 | iPhone 14 | Apple |
| 5 | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Samsung |
| 6 | Galaxy A15 5G | Samsung |
| 7 | Galaxy A54 | Samsung |
| 8 | iPhone 15 Plus | Apple |
| 9 | Galaxy S24 | Samsung |
| 10 | Galaxy A34 | Samsung |
Counterpoint Research’s Q1 2024 report is the source for the ranking. The table identifies the model order; it does not provide unit counts or make the results independently audited manufacturer disclosures.
Why a premium iPhone could top a sales ranking
The iPhone 15 Pro Max was the top-positioned iPhone 15 model, with a large display, A17 Pro chip, titanium enclosure, 5x telephoto camera, and 256GB starting storage at launch. Apple outlined those features in its iPhone 15 Pro launch announcement. Counterpoint said the Pro Max performed strongly despite a price increase over the previous Pro Max generation, interpreting the result as evidence of demand for its premium features.
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- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Those features and demand are context, not a proven breakdown of what caused the model to rank first. A higher price does not prevent a phone from leading a unit ranking if enough people choose it. Apple’s relatively concentrated lineup can also concentrate demand among a smaller number of models. The second-place finish of the less expensive standard iPhone 15 shows that the Pro Max was not the only Apple model drawing buyers.
What Apple’s and Samsung’s five entries show
Apple placed several generations and sizes on the list
Apple’s five entries were the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 14’s fourth-place finish is a reminder that older generations can remain in the mix alongside newer models. The five entries show that Apple had multiple models in the top ten; they do not show Apple’s share of all smartphone sales.
Rank #2
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Samsung covered flagship and more affordable tiers
Samsung’s five were the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy A15 5G, Galaxy A54, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy A34. The Galaxy S24 Ultra was the highest-ranked Android model in the table, at fifth. The A-series models show Samsung represented in more affordable segments as well as the premium S series. Samsung’s broader model range gives it entries across price tiers, but the five-versus-five split does not mean the two companies sold equal numbers of phones.
For product context, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 buying guide describes its S24 line. A sales rank is not a review verdict: the S24 Ultra’s position makes it the highest-ranked Android model in this particular ranking, not automatically the best Android phone for every buyer.
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- Premium Display and Design: 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back and customizable Action button
- Advanced Interaction and Performance: Dynamic Island provides a new way to interact with iPhone. Powered by A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU for enhanced performance
- Professional Camera System: Pro camera system featuring 48MP Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses. Super-high-resolution photos at 24MP and 48MP. Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Safety and Emergency Features: Emergency SOS via satellite for remote communication. Crash Detection technology for automatic emergency response. Roadside Assistance via satellite when you need help
- Extended Battery and Connectivity: Up to 29 hours video playback for all-day entertainment. USB-C port supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Secure Face ID authentication
What “best-selling” does—and does not—mean
- It is a model-level result. The tracker ranks individual phone models. It does not establish that Apple outsold Samsung in total smartphone units.
- It is global, not universal. A global ranking does not mean the Pro Max led in every country. Local prices, promotions, availability, launch timing, and brand preferences can change country-level results.
- Sales are not the same claim as shipments. Counterpoint calls its source a model-sales tracker. Industry reporting may distinguish devices sold to end users from units shipped into distribution; do not treat those measures as interchangeable.
- Units are not revenue or profit. A unit leader sold the most devices in the ranking’s measure. That does not prove it generated the most revenue or profit. Those require different data.
- Popularity is not a buying recommendation. The ranking does not measure value, quality, customer satisfaction, or suitability for an individual’s budget and needs.
Q1 2024 was not the full-year winner
The Pro Max’s first-place result applies only to calendar Q1. Counterpoint’s full-year 2024 ranking put the standard iPhone 15 first globally, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro also high on the list. The quarterly headline should not be recast as a full-year result.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy an iPhone 15 Pro Max now?
The Q1 2024 ranking is a historical sales result, not evidence that this is the best-value phone to buy today. As of August 2026, Apple’s U.S. store promotes newer iPhone generations rather than listing the iPhone 15 Pro Max as a standard new-device option. Check the Apple Buy iPhone page for current availability in your region; new-device availability can differ by seller and market.
Rank #4
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
If you specifically want the 15 Pro Max, you may be looking at used or refurbished stock. Before paying, check battery health, parts and repair history, activation lock status, carrier compatibility, warranty, and return terms. A newer Pro or Pro Max may suit someone who prioritizes an officially sold new device and current warranty options; a standard iPhone may make more sense if the larger display and advanced telephoto camera are not worth the extra cost to you. Compare actual current prices and condition rather than relying on the old ranking.
For an Android buyer, the Q1 list’s Galaxy S24 Ultra was Samsung’s leading model, while the A-series entries represented different price tiers. Current models and availability change; consult Samsung’s U.S. smartphone catalog for current options. A less expensive A-series phone is not a like-for-like substitute for an Ultra if you need flagship performance or camera capabilities.
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Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
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