iPhone Beats Samsung, Dominates Global Smartphone Sales

The iPhone became the world's leading smartphone after surpassing Samsung's sales in Q4 2016. Data released by IDC on February 1, 2017, showed that global iPhone shipments in Q4 2016 reached 78.3 million units, a 4.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2015. Compared to the previous quarter, iPhone sales surged by 72 percent.

Samsung's sales in the last three months of 2016 totaled only 77.5 million units, a 5.2 percent decrease compared to the same period the previous year. However, compared to the previous quarter, sales of the South Korean manufacturer's smartphones still saw a 1.8 percent increase.

The recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from the market due to several cases of exploding batteries benefited Apple Inc. The American smartphone manufacturer recorded its highest-ever sales. Samsung's mistake allowed the iPhone to become the world's leading smartphone at the end of 2016.