Global smartphone trends: best-selling phones of H2 2024 revealed

The iPhone 15 Pro Max leads as the best-selling phone H2 2024, based on Omdia’s Smartphone Model Market Tracker. It shipped 21.8 million units in the first half of the year. This is the second year in a row that the iPhone Pro Max series has taken the top spot. Despite global economic challenges, consumers prefer Apple’s most expensive model.

The iPhone 15 Pro max is the best-selling phone in H2 2024 amid inflation

The Apple phone’s popularity is notable as it comes during a period of extended high inflation. Despite predictions that rising prices would curb consumer spending, the reverse has happened. More users are opting for premium phones, such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, priced between $1,199 and $1,599. Many buyers likely view the investment as long-term, with plans to hold onto their devices for longer periods, making the higher price tag more acceptable.

Apple’s iPhone 15 series dominates the rankings, with the standard iPhone 15 shipping 17.8 million units, making it the second most popular phone of 2024 so far. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro ranks fourth, with 16.9 million shipments. Surprisingly, the iPhone 15 Plus struggled, with only 3.7 million units shipped, placing it far behind its siblings.

Shift in consumer preferences

The success of the iPhone 15 Pro Max reflects a shift in consumer preferences, with premium phones continuing to capture a larger share of the market. However, the best-selling phones of H2 2024 include more than just high-end models. The Samsung Galaxy A15, priced at $129, took the third spot with 17.3 million units shipped. This marks a significant increase from its predecessor, the Galaxy A14, which saw 12.4 million shipments in 2023.

With economic challenges pushing some mid-range phone buyers toward lower-end models, the Galaxy A15 capitalized on this trend. Additionally, the 5G variant of the A15 secured seventh place with 12.2 million units sold, further demonstrating the rising demand for budget smartphones.

At the premium end, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra took the fifth spot on the best-selling phones of H2 2024 list, with 12.6 million units sold since its January 31 release. This model outperformed its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which shipped 9.6 million units during the same period last year. The success of the S24 Ultra may be attributed to Samsung’s introduction of AI features, which attracted users seeking the latest technology.

The three-year-old iPhone 13 also made an appearance as the sixth most popular phone, shipping 12.5 million units globally. Surprisingly, it outperformed the iPhone 14, which ranked ninth. Priced around $599, the iPhone 13 remains a popular entry point into Apple’s ecosystem for mid-range phone users.

Low-end phones are still in demand

Despite the success of premium smartphones, low-end models continue to perform well. Xiaomi’s 13C and Samsung’s Galaxy A05, both priced at approximately $80, rounded out the top 10 best-selling phones of H2 2024. Their affordability, combined with decent performance features like 50MP rear cameras and 5000mAh batteries, make them attractive options for cost-conscious consumers.

While smartphone shipments grew significantly in the first half of 2024, Omdia predicts a decline in the second half of the year. This downturn is likely due to economic uncertainty and the saturation of demand in the low-end smartphone market. Furthermore, the rise of refurbished and secondhand devices is curbing new demand growth, particularly in the mid-range market. However, the premium smartphone segment is expected to grow, driven by steady replacement cycles and increased demand in emerging markets.