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Apple’s standard iPhone 16—not the Pro, Pro Max or Plus—was the world’s best-selling individual smartphone model in calendar year 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The firm published its finding on January 28, 2026: Apple models filled seven of the global top 10, Samsung models filled the other three, and those 10 models together accounted for 19% of smartphone sales.
That is a unit-sales ranking, not a verdict that the iPhone 16 was the best phone, the most profitable phone, or the best value for every buyer. For shoppers in 2026, the price matters especially: Apple’s U.S. store listed the iPhone 16 from $829 on August 18, 2026, while its newer iPhone 17 started at $799.
What Counterpoint’s ranking actually says
Counterpoint’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker identified the iPhone 16 as the leading smartphone model worldwide for 2025. The release describes its monthly model-sales data as sell-through: sales through retail channels to end users, rather than devices shipped into distributors. Counterpoint published the result on January 28, 2026, so it is a retrospective finding about 2025, not a ranking announced during that year.
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#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
The public release confirms the top 10’s seven-to-three Apple/Samsung split and its combined 19% share, but does not clearly expose every position or model-by-model unit total in its accessible text. It is more accurate to report those confirmed figures than to reproduce a complete ranked table or exact sales totals that the public text does not provide.
Why the standard iPhone 16 could lead
The iPhone 16 launched in September 2024, so it had a full calendar year on sale during 2025. The iPhone 17 arrived later in 2025, leaving less time for the new generation to accumulate annual sales. Timing is therefore important context when comparing the two generations.
Counterpoint also reported that the iPhone 17 series sold 16% more than its predecessor series during its first full quarter, with demand in the United States, China and Western Europe contributing to that performance. That does not contradict the iPhone 16’s full-year lead: a newer generation can gain momentum while the prior model still benefits from more months of availability.
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Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Other plausible contributors include the base model’s lower price than Apple’s Pro phones, the company’s retail and carrier reach, brand and ecosystem loyalty, and demand that continues after a new generation launches. These are reasonable market explanations, not individually proven causes in the public ranking. Counterpoint’s result does not establish that a particular specification or promotion made the iPhone 16 number one.
It is also a notable result for a mainstream model. The leader was the regular 6.1-inch iPhone 16, not a larger or more expensive Pro variant. Apple’s official specifications list it as a distinct model from the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, as well as from the Pro and Pro Max.
What Apple’s seven places do—and do not—show
Apple and Samsung occupied all 10 slots in Counterpoint’s reported global ranking, with Apple taking seven. That signals concentration among the most popular individual models, but it does not mean other manufacturers sold few phones overall: a manufacturer can sell large volumes spread across many models without any one model entering a top-10 list.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Apple’s portfolio is more concentrated than that of many Android manufacturers, which makes model-to-model comparisons an imperfect measure of company-wide strength. Samsung’s three places also show that the list is not simply a contest between iPhones: its portfolio can place different Galaxy models in the global leaders. Counterpoint says Apple and Samsung have dominated the top 10 for four consecutive years.
Popularity is not a product review
The iPhone 16’s specifications make it a capable mainstream phone, but they do not explain the ranking on their own. Apple lists an A18 chip, a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, Wi‑Fi 7 and satellite safety features. Its stated battery estimate is up to 22 hours of video playback; actual results vary with use. The USB-C connection is limited to USB 2 transfer speeds, up to 480 Mb/s, which can be a drawback for moving large video files.
- Best-selling means popular by unit volume. It does not mean best camera, best display, longest battery life, or highest revenue.
- Global does not mean universal. Prices, carrier support, network bands and customer preferences differ by country.
- A 2025 sales lead is not a 2026 buying recommendation. A newer phone or a discounted rival may suit a buyer better.
Consider your own priorities: display refresh rate, optical zoom, charging, storage, repair access, operating system, and how well the phone works with your carrier and other devices. The base iPhone 16 may suit someone who wants iOS, a relatively compact phone and mainstream performance. It is a weaker fit for buyers who prioritize a high-refresh-rate display, longer-range optical zoom or faster wired transfers.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Is the iPhone 16 worth buying in 2026?
Compare the actual price you would pay—not the past sales ranking—with the newer model and any carrier or trade-in offer. On August 18, 2026, Apple’s U.S. store listed the 128GB iPhone 16 at $829 and the 256GB version at $929. The same store listed the iPhone 17 from $799. Those are U.S. prices observed on that date, before taxes; prices and product availability can change, and they are not global prices.
At those listed prices, the newer iPhone 17 is an important comparison and the iPhone 16 is difficult to justify on age alone. The iPhone 16 may still make sense if a retailer, carrier promotion, trade-in or clearance deal brings its effective price materially below the newer phone, or if a particular color, configuration or availability works better for you. Apple’s page showed carrier savings of up to $441.36 with AT&T, $899 with T-Mobile and $830 with Verizon, subject to each carrier’s terms and eligibility. A headline discount is not the same as an unconditional price cut; check bill credits, required plans, trade-in conditions and how long you must remain with the carrier.
Check configuration and regional compatibility before ordering. Apple’s U.S. iPhone 16 models use eSIM and do not accept a physical SIM card; models and requirements can differ elsewhere. Apple also says supported 5G and LTE bands and international functionality vary by country and carrier. Travelers and anyone who relies on a physical SIM should verify the exact regional model with Apple and their carrier. If you often transfer large files over a cable, remember the standard iPhone 16’s USB 2 limit. If you take frequent distant-subject photos or want a high-refresh-rate display, compare the appropriate Pro or competing models rather than assuming the top-selling model covers those needs.
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
Trade-in value can materially change the effective cost, but quotes depend on the device, condition, location and date. Compare the final checkout total and terms, including storage, financing and carrier requirements. A lower monthly payment can still mean a higher total cost or a longer commitment.
The takeaway from the data
Counterpoint’s finding establishes a specific fact: the standard iPhone 16 was the top-selling individual smartphone model worldwide by unit sales in calendar 2025. Apple’s seven top-10 models and Samsung’s three show how concentrated the very top of the model market was. Neither fact settles which company sold the most phones overall, which device generated the most revenue, or which phone you should buy now.
For a 2026 purchase, treat the ranking as context, then compare current prices, features and carrier terms. With Apple’s U.S. listed iPhone 17 starting below the observed iPhone 16 price, a deal on the older model—not its former sales lead—is the key reason to choose it.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
