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5h ago

Q3 Smartphone Shipments Rise as iPhone 17 Launch Puts Apple Within a Point of Samsung

IDC credits premium and AI features plus aggressive financing and trade‑ins for unlocking upgrades, with momentum expected to continue into year‑end.

iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra held in the hand.
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This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.

Overview

  • Global shipments grew 2.6% year over year to 322.7 million units, according to preliminary IDC data.
  • Samsung led with 61.4 million units and roughly 19% share, buoyed by Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 outpacing prior foldables.
  • Apple shipped 58.6 million iPhones for about 18.2% share, marking its strongest July quarter on record as iPhone 17 pre‑orders topped last year’s model.
  • IDC analysts say premium, AI‑enabled devices and well‑designed trade‑in and financing programs lowered purchase friction and spurred upgrades.
  • A parallel Omdia read shows similar directionality, estimating about 3% market growth and a 4% rise in iPhone shipments, with all figures still subject to revision.