Apple, Samsung Among Top 10 Smartphones In Q1; iPhone 15 Pro Max Beats Galaxy S24 Ultra To Clinch First Spot

The top four positions claimed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 14, followed by the flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra securing fifth place.

The Apple iPhone Pro line-up's soaring popularity became evident in Q1, commanding half of Apple’s total sales. ( Image Source :Getty )

Apple and Samsung dominated the top 10 best-selling smartphones list in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, with each brand occupying the top five spots, a new report said. According to Counterpoint Research’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker, this quarter witnessed a notable transition, with all top 10 smartphones boasting 5G capability. Furthermore, a discernible trend towards premium handsets emerged, with seven out of the top 10 smartphones priced at $600 or higher.

The top four positions claimed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 14, followed by the flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra securing fifth place. (Read our full review of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra here)

iPhone Pro Line Commanded Half Of Apple's Sales In Q1

The Apple iPhone Pro line-up's soaring popularity became evident in Q1, commanding half of Apple’s total sales -- a remarkable surge from 24 per cent in Q1 2020. iPhone Pro models now stand as Apple's primary revenue generators, accounting for over 60 per cent of its sales value in the same quarter. With substantial upgrades and significant enhancements over the base models, the Pro line-up continues to impress.

Increasing Consumer Inclination Towards Premium Devices

An increasing consumer inclination towards premium devices was evident, with all four iterations of the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14 securing positions within the top 10 list. Notably, the iPhone 15 series dominated the top three spots.

Apple's strategic maneuver has yielded success, with consumers demonstrating a willingness to invest in premium features. The iPhone Pro line-up boasts an array of cutting-edge features, including an innovative dynamic island interface, advanced chipsets, seamless displays, titanium chassis, and a telephoto camera. Despite its initial price hike since the Pro series inception in 2019, the iPhone 15 Pro Max garnered strong performance, underscoring consumers' fervent appetite for the added benefits the Pro line provides.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Among Top 10

Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S24 series clinched two positions in Q1's top 10, with its Ultra variant landing fifth and the base variant securing ninth place. The series' impressive performance can be credited to Samsung's timely refresh and its dedication to advancing generative AI (GenAI) technology. As the first to introduce GenAI features and capabilities to the market, the S24 series empowers users to craft original content and elevate their smartphone interactions to new heights.

Consumers are extending the lifespan of their smartphones due to limited feature differentiations in upgrades. Consequently, they are choosing high-end smartphones to ensure their devices stay technologically up-to-date for longer. Looking ahead, the market iltelligence firm anticipates the top 10 best-selling smartphones to claim a greater portion of total smartphone sales, driven by OEMs prioritising streamlined portfolios featuring premium features, such as GenAI.