Eight iPhone models became the best-selling smartphones in 2022, iPhone 13 tops the list: Counterpoint

2022 has been a standout year for Apple, according to a new report from a market research firm. The Cupertino-based tech giant continued to dominate global smartphone shipments with eight of its models appearing in the top 10 best-selling smartphones list. Launched in 2021, iPhone 13 became the best-selling model, followed by iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max in second and third position respectively. The list also includes iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone SE (2022). Samsung was represented in the top 10 of the two entry-level Galaxy A series smartphones.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research in its latest Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker report ranked the iPhone 13 as the best-selling phone of 2022. Launched in 2021, the smartphone powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip has contributed 28% of iPhone sales. The surge in demand for the older iPhone 13 series model is attributed to price cuts after the launch of the iPhone 14 series in September last year. It was the best-selling smartphone in China, France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.

While the iPhone 13 Pro Max took second place, the new iPhone 14 Pro Max came in third place. Counterpoint noted that the Pro Max variant of an iPhone series generated more volume than its Pro and base models in 2022. Samsung’s budget offering, the Galaxy A13, was in fourth place, the iPhone 13 Pro coming in fifth.

The iPhone 12 took sixth place, followed by the new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro in seventh and eighth positions respectively. Apple’s budget offering, the iPhone SE (2022), took the ninth spot, while Samsung’s Galaxy A03 completes the top ten list. Popularity in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) and India boosted sales of the entry-level device. However, with the latest report, Apple has become the first brand to capture eight spots in the top 10 best-selling smartphones list.

Counterpoint expects the share of the top 10 smartphones to grow in 2023 as brands focus on eliminating inventory and optimizing their launches. Brands should lighten their portfolios this year to minimize cannibalization, according to the research firm.

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