In 2023, the global smartphone market saw the top 10 models account for 246 million units out of more than one billion devices shipped. Canalys, an analytics firm, reported these numbers publicly via the company’s X platform (formerly Twitter). The news highlights a year of notable shifts in consumer preference, with premium devices gaining traction while affordable models still maintained broad appeal across different regions. The data underscores how consumer appetite for high-end features and camera capabilities propelled certain models to the forefront of sales, even as overall shipments faced challenges from supply chain constraints and varying market conditions.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max led the ranking, with approximately 34 million units sold. Close behind was the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which reached about 33 million devices. In third place, the base iPhone 14 remained a strong seller, moving roughly 29 million units. These figures illustrate how the most capable iPhone configurations continued to drive demand, reinforcing the premium segment’s dominance in the annual sales mix.
Other popular models in the top 10 included the iPhone 14 Pro with around 29 million units and the base iPhone 13 at roughly 23 million units. Among Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy A14 4G posted about 21 million units, while the Galaxy A54 5G reached approximately 20 million. The iPhone 15 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G also appeared in the list, delivering around 21 million and 19 million units respectively, with the base iPhone 15 closing the year at roughly 17 million units. These patterns reveal a market where premium features, year-over-year improvements, and brand loyalty continue to shape consumer choices across major regions.
Canalys noted that the year 2023 marked a milestone: seven Apple models and three Samsung models comprised the top 10 global best-sellers. The analyst firm emphasized that the iPhone Pro line achieved the historic feat of topping the annual ranking for the first time, reflecting a broader market shift toward higher-value devices and premium experiences. This suggests that buyers increasingly prioritize performance and camera systems, even as price sensitivity remains a factor in many markets. (Canalys, 2023)
Overall smartphone shipments for 2023 reached about 1.14 billion units, representing a roughly 4% decline from 2022. The year’s numbers illustrate how supply chain dynamics, regional variations, and evolving consumer preferences can influence quarterly and yearly totals, even as certain flagship models maintain strong holiday-season momentum. The data also provides a lens into the ongoing transition toward premium devices, with manufacturers continuing to balance feature upgrades, battery life, and price positioning to capture different segments of the market. (Canalys, 2023)
Brazil, Europe, North America, and parts of Asia-Pacific contributed to the global totals, each exhibiting unique demand drivers. In the United States and Canada, growth tended to track with premium device adoption, carrier promotions, and the cadence of new model releases, while other regions showed more price-sensitive demand for mid-range and entry-level smartphones. In assessing year-over-year performance, analysts point to the premium segment as a persistent engine of growth, even as overall shipments faced headwinds from macroeconomic pressures and component scarcity. (Canalys, 2023)
As the market evolved, manufacturers continued to refine product lineups to balance innovation with affordability, while retailers and carriers adjusted strategies to entice buyers with value-rich bundles and trade-in offers. Consumers in North America remained particularly receptive to devices that combine high-end imaging, faster processors, longer battery life, and durable design, suggesting that the premium segment’s influence will persist in the near term. (Canalys, 2023)