Everyone wants a fancy phone – even the folk buying them second-hand
- Reference: 1760529143
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/10/15/idc_counterpoint_smartphone_sales/
- Source link:
The latest data on global smartphone shipments from IDC indicates that the top-of-the-line segment is helping the market expand, with consumers drawn to kit including foldables as well as more affordable AI-enabled devices.
The "premiumization" trend is also extending to emerging pre-owned markets, which are seeing increasing demand for newer, high-quality iPhones and other top-grade refurbished devices, according to Counterpoint Research.
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Growth in new smartphone shipments appears to still be relatively modest, up 2.6 percent in Q3 2025 to 322.7 million units globally, according to IDC, while Samsung and Apple dominate the rankings.
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"Apple and Samsung posted strong results as their latest devices encouraged consumers to upgrade in the premium segment," said IDC vice president of client devices Francisco Jeronimo.
"Apple delivered its best results ever in a July quarter, while Samsung achieved its strongest July-quarter growth on record. Demand for Apple's new iPhone 17 lineup was robust, with pre-orders surpassing those of the previous generation. At the same time, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 outperformed all earlier foldable models, creating renewed momentum for the foldables segment."
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For those interested, the figures are 61.4 million devices shipped by Samsung, an increase of 6.3 percent over the same period last year, while Apple hit 58.6 million units, an increase of 2.9 percent.
Yet the most impressive growth was from Chinese brand Transsion, which managed a 13.6 percent increase in units shipped since last year. This brought it up to 29.2 million, still some way behind third-place Xiaomi on 43.5 million, never mind Apple and Samsung.
When it comes to pre-owned kit, Africa's market for these devices grew 6 percent in the first half of 2025, with the big-name brands and their flagship models also doing well, perhaps unsurprisingly.
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This is in contrast to more established second-hand smartphone markets like Europe, the US, and Japan, where there was only a modest increase averaging about 1 percent growth.
In Africa, used Apple devices are up 7 percent on last year's sales, driven by collaboration between the company itself and premium resellers, and a rising preference for relatively newer models such as the iPhone 13 and later, Counterpoint says.
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[7]Japanese city passes two-hours-a-day smartphone usage ordinance
[8]Don't despair. iFixit says you can still repair that iPhone Air
[9]It's time mobile devs started to think seriously about foldable smartphones
Pre-owned Samsung gear is also popular, with sales up 4 percent thanks to aggressive trade-in promotions offering up to 50 percent off on the Galaxy S and Z series devices.
Elsewhere, Southeast Asia's used smartphone market expanded by 5 percent, fueled by a steady inflow of used devices and components from China. Apple is the leading brand, with the iPhone 12 and 13 as the top models changing hands.
India also saw growth of about 5 percent in the pre-owned mobile trade, with steady demand for Samsung's Galaxy S22 and S23 devices, but also rising consumer preference for premium models like the iPhone 13 and 14 series.
Counterpoint says the sluggish growth in places such as Europe, the US, and Japan is due to limited supply and declining export flows with emerging markets.
The Register reported earlier this year that [10]less than a third of European consumers trade in or sell their old phones, restricting the availability of used devices.
In America, meanwhile, the market sentiment is described as "volatile." Retailers and OEMs have been maintaining high inventories of spare parts in anticipation of potential policy shifts, possibly reflecting uncertainty linked to President Trump's shifting tariff policies. However, operators, OEMs, and retailers continue to strengthen buy-back programs, according to Counterpoint. ®
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[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/06/which_says_qualcomm_owes_uk/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/24/japan_toyoake_smartphone_limitation_ordinance/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/22/ifixit_iphone_air/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/14/galaxy_fold7_foldable_smartphones_rising/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/18/used_phones_europe/
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Re: I must be a weirdo
The foldables are good and the screen folding sections are more durable than expected. But there are all Android unfortunately.
Most phones have fragile screens.
Re: I must be a weirdo
I have to disagree. Well, actually no, I guess I agree with you. I expected my friend's folding screen to explode into dust the second he brought it home, but actually it took a whole three weeks for the crease to develop down the middle. And Android does suck, but that's what Lineage is for ;)
Re: I must be a weirdo
Just give me a reasonable size. Preferably something that's more convenient than wheelbarrow- or cargo cart-sized.
It's been almost 5 years since Apple provided a mini model, and as they slather more and more useless functionality into their devices, and the batteries needed to power them, the lower the odds that they'll ever return to that infinitely more handy form factor.
Re: I must be a weirdo
Upvoted. The Pixel 5 is the last phone I've found that will fit in a shirt pocket.
Re: I must be a weirdo
I'm the same with the back pocket of my jeans. Needs to fit in without poking out lest it attract vermin phone thieves.
That's an Oppo.
I do have a second phone that's larger (Samsung) but that stays at home for playing movies/TV shows and reading books.
Re: I must be a weirdo
same. I would kill for an old slider that's built like a brick with a full keyboard, and since those don't exist anymore, I've been using a Unihertz JellyStar because I miss phones the size of the iPhone 4
Work have standardised on Apple and Samsung and, having tried both, there's no way I'm spending my own money on either.
Did they provide decent versions of either to allow you to judge? My work phone is Apple, but it's some tiddly, cheapy POS that was probably state of the art in 2014, so no advert at all for the brand. Not that I wanted one, but if they'd given my a decent iPhone I might have a better view of the brand, even allowing the restricted capabilities and Fisher-Price UX.
Currently on an iPhone 16 running iOS 26.0.1. The only redeeming feature is that it's USB-C so I no longer need the weird Apple cable.
Better than a new phone
Wife got a previous generation of Google Pixel phone at a very steep discount compared to the new version. It does everything the new one does but without the AI. Win-win if you ask me.
Re: Better than a new phone
You have to go a few generations back to not have AI at all, I think. I have a previous generation Google phone as of now, a Pixel 9a, and I believe it has significant AI features. I haven't actually taken it out of the box yet, but the reviews said while it's missing a couple of AI features that the latest gen phones have, it has Gemini Live and a bunch of other AI stuff. I think even the Pixel 8 phones had significant AI features.
Moto e5 play on android 8.0 still works great. Still original battery even! And I have 3 new ones in the drawer. Office handed me a apple piece of shit 2022 Se. I threw it into the drawer and forgot about it till security started asking how come it's not beaconing 6+ months later.
I must be a weirdo
Give me expandable storage, a passable camera and a reasonably low lag experience and I'm happy. The last time I bought a new phone (entry level Galaxy) was because I needed an eSim option. A few years ago, it felt like there were actual reasons to upgrade, now, it's just because updates have ceased or the battery is toast and replacing it costs more than replacing the whole device.
I also don't see the appeal of foldables because the screen is so fragile.