Apple's iPhone 15 was the world's top-selling smartphone in 2024, outclassing competition that is largely focused on capitalising on the steady rise of generative artificial intelligence in mobile devices, a new report has shown.
While the iPhone 15 does not support Apple Intelligence – which was rolled out in September – half of the top 10 most popular smartphones are generative AI-capable, signalling a shift towards the game-changing technology, Counterpoint Research said in its annual report on Monday. The Cupertino, California company has maintained its dominance since Counterpoint started tracking global sales data in 2018.
It claimed six out of the top 10 spots in terms of sales last year, led by its entry-level flagship device and four that support generative AI. Those four include the top-end iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro, which ranked second and third, respectively. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, which are part of Apple's current line-up, came in at fifth and ninth, respectively.
The iPhone 14, which topped Counterpoint's list last year, remained popular, ranking eighth. The iPhone 15 was helped by healthy sales in the US and China, which accounted for nearly half of the total, while the increased consumer preference for the iPhone 15 Pro models helped it account for more than half of all annual iPhone sales for the first time, Hong Kong's Counterpoint said.
"Attractive financing plans and trade-in offers on iPhones contributed to the premiumisation trend and made the iPhone more accessible to a wider audience, particularly in emerging markets. This trend led to more consumers opting for the latest iPhone," senior analyst Karn Chauhan said.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Samsung was anchored by its mid-level offerings, led by the Galaxy A15 5G at fourth, Galaxy A15 4G at sixth and Galaxy A05 at 10th. Samsung's only premium entry on the list is the seventh-ranked Galaxy S24 Ultra – it is notable that it is the first Galaxy S series device to make it on to Counterpoint's annual top 10 since 2018.
This can be attributed to the Galaxy S24 series being the first smartphones to have mainstream generative artificial intelligence capabilities, which Samsung is betting on to drive future growth, said Counterpoint research analyst Harshit Rastogi. "Samsung's emphasis on these innovative features has resulted in strong market performance and a first-mover advantage," he said.
The company updated its flagship line-up with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series last month, foregoing aesthetic changes to concentrate on boosting its Galaxy AI platform. "Notable features like chat/note assist, Circle to Search and live translation have gained traction and received positive reviews," Mr Rastogi added.
Smartphones remain the most popular and important consumer electronic devices. They have become an essential tool for communications, business, education and other daily activities.
With the rise of generative AI, manufacturers are scrambling to incorporate the latest technologies to entice a wider consumer base. Apple and Samsung are already locking horns in this respect, raising the stakes with their partnerships with ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Google, respectively.
"The adoption of smartphones with generative AI capabilities is forecast to rise, as OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] are highlighting generative AI as a key differentiator in their high-end offerings ... we expect an increase in the number of generative AI-enabled smartphones in 2025," Counterpoint said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
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Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
