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Apple’s iPhone 14 was the world’s top-selling individual smartphone in 2023, and Apple took seven of the year’s top 10 spots. Samsung filled the other three with Galaxy A-series models. This is a ranking of model sales—not a verdict on which phones were best, and not a ranking of brands by total shipments.
The 10 best-selling smartphone models worldwide in 2023
Counterpoint Research’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker, covering the full 2023 calendar year, places the models in this order. The listed percentages are global sales shares where reported; unavailable figures are left unstated rather than estimated.
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| Rank | Model | Brand | Reported global sales share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 14 | Apple | 3.9% |
| 2 | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Apple | Not stated in accessible source |
| 3 | iPhone 14 Pro | Apple | Not stated in accessible source |
| 4 | iPhone 13 | Apple | 2.2% |
| 5 | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple | Not stated in accessible source |
| 6 | iPhone 15 Pro | Apple | Not stated in accessible source |
| 7 | iPhone 15 | Apple | Not stated in accessible source |
| 8 | Galaxy A14 5G | Samsung | 1.4% |
| 9 | Galaxy A04e | Samsung | 1.3% |
| 10 | Galaxy A14 4G | Samsung | 1.3% |
The ranking and reported shares are summarized in TechSpot’s coverage of the Counterpoint data; Counterpoint’s annual results and regional context appear in its 2023 model-sales report, published March 22, 2024. The 10 models together accounted for 20% of global smartphone sales that year, up from 19% in 2022.
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What the ranking shows
Apple held the top seven positions
Apple occupied ranks one through seven, a first for the company in this annual top-10 ranking. The group spans standard iPhones and Pro models, and includes both the iPhone 14 generation and three iPhone 15 models. Samsung took the remaining three positions; no other manufacturer placed an individual model in the top 10.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
The result is about concentration among the most-sold individual models, not the entire market. It does not mean Apple and Samsung accounted for all sales outside these 10 entries, nor does it measure total sales across every model each company offered.
The iPhone 14 led, with a calendar-year advantage
The iPhone 14 launched in 2022, so it was available for the full 2023 sales year. The iPhone 15 line arrived in September 2023 and had only roughly the final quarter to accumulate sales. The iPhone 14’s 3.9% share made it the year’s leading individual model; Counterpoint reported that it represented 19% of Apple’s total iPhone sales in 2023. The United States and China together accounted for about half of its sales.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
That timing helps explain why the iPhone 14 ranked first while all three iPhone 15 models still made the top seven. In the fourth quarter alone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was the top-selling smartphone globally, according to MacRumors’ summary of Counterpoint’s results. A quarterly leader and a full-year leader answer different questions.
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The iPhone 13 ranked fourth, with a reported 2.2% of global smartphone sales. Counterpoint-linked reporting attributes its continued strength to value and carrier promotions, with particularly strong performance in Japan and India; its volume grew by double digits year over year in those two markets, according to the report. An older generation can remain commercially significant when it offers a lower-cost route into an established software and services ecosystem, even as newer models arrive.
Rank #3
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Samsung’s entries were affordable A-series phones
Samsung’s three models were the Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A04e, and Galaxy A14 4G—not Galaxy S or Galaxy Z flagships. Counterpoint identified Brazil, India, Mexico, and Indonesia as important markets for the LTE models; the Galaxy A14 5G benefited from sales in the United States and India. The separate 4G and 5G versions matter: they are distinct models, not one entry counted twice.
The pattern highlights how accessible pricing and wide distribution can drive unit volume. It does not establish that these phones offered better performance or value for every buyer than alternatives in their markets.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Why a model ranking is not a brand shipment ranking
This list ranks individual models tracked by Counterpoint across the 2023 calendar year. A brand-shipment ranking instead aggregates devices from a manufacturer’s whole portfolio and may use a different measurement point, such as shipments into distribution channels rather than estimated consumer model sales. Those datasets cannot be substituted for one another.
For example, Xiaomi’s investor materials, citing Canalys, report 146.1 million smartphone shipments and a 12.8% global brand share for 2023. That brand-level figure does not conflict with Xiaomi having no model in this particular top 10: a manufacturer can sell substantial volume spread across many models. The investor presentation is available in Xiaomi’s 2023 results materials.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Nor is “best-selling” a measure of quality. Sales are affected by price, carrier offers, regional availability, distribution, and how long a model was on sale. The ranking does not assess camera quality, durability, repairability, software support, or customer satisfaction.
What this historical list means for buyers
A 2023 sales result can help explain which models reached many buyers, but it cannot tell you whether a particular used or remaining-stock phone is a sound purchase in 2026. The models’ current availability, prices, warranty coverage, and software-support status vary by market and seller, and are not established by this ranking.
- Compare the asking price with current-generation alternatives; an older model is less compelling when the price is close to a newer one.
- For used or refurbished phones, check battery condition, warranty and return terms, activation or account locks, and device identity before paying.
- For imported Samsung models, verify the exact model number, cellular bands, carrier compatibility, and whether the unit is locked. The A14 4G and A14 5G are not interchangeable.
- Check storage, SIM configuration, and local warranty coverage on the specific unit; regional versions can differ despite sharing a retail name.
Official catalogs provide a starting point for comparing current options, not proof that a ranked older model is still sold new: see Apple’s iPhone store and Samsung’s U.S. smartphone catalog. Availability and terms differ by country.
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