Samsung led European smartphone market in 2025, Apple and Honor grew the most in the Top 5

Samsung Dominates European Smartphone Market in 2025, But Apple and Honor Steal the Growth Spotlight

In a year marked by shifting tides and surprising underdogs, Samsung has once again proven its dominance in the European smartphone arena, shipping a staggering 46.6 million units across the continent in 2025. According to a fresh report from Omdia, the South Korean tech giant now commands a commanding 35% market share, leaving competitors scrambling to catch up.

But while Samsung may have won the volume war, the real story of 2025 lies in the explosive growth of two unexpected contenders: Apple and Honor. Both brands defied the market’s downward trend, with Apple growing its shipments by 6% year-over-year and Honor making its debut in the Top 5 with a remarkable 4% growth spurt. In fact, both companies achieved their highest-ever annual sales figures on the continent, signaling a seismic shift in consumer preferences.

The Top 5: Stability Meets Disruption

Following Samsung’s lead, Apple secured the second spot with 36.9 million units shipped, capturing 27% of the market. Xiaomi held steady in third place with 21.8 million shipments (16% share), while Motorola clung to fourth with 7.7 million units (6% share). Honor’s entry into the Top 5 marks a significant milestone, as the brand shipped 3.8 million devices and claimed 3% of the market.

Interestingly, not all players enjoyed growth. Xiaomi saw a slight 1% decline in shipments compared to 2024, while Motorola experienced a more pronounced 5% drop. However, outside the Top 5, brands like Nothing and Fairphone enjoyed double-digit growth, hinting at a diversifying market landscape.

Q4 2025: Apple’s Quarter to Shine

The final quarter of 2025 painted a slightly different picture. Apple surged ahead with 13.4 million shipments, capturing 34% of the market. Samsung followed closely with 12.4 million units (31% share). Honor emerged as the fastest-growing brand in Q4, with a jaw-dropping 24% increase in shipments compared to the same period in 2024. Motorola and Samsung also saw growth, with 13% and 10% increases, respectively.

The People’s Choice: Galaxy A56 Reigns Supreme

When it comes to individual device popularity, Samsung’s Galaxy A56 took the crown as Europe’s best-selling smartphone of 2025. The iPhone 16 and Galaxy A16 rounded out the top three. Remarkably, the top 10 list was dominated by Apple and Samsung, with six Apple devices and four Samsung models making the cut. No other brand managed to crack the elite list, underscoring the duopoly’s grip on the market.

In a curious twist, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 4G, which made the Top 10 in 2024, failed to repeat its success in 2025. This shift highlights the rapidly evolving preferences of European consumers, who seem to be gravitating toward premium and mid-range offerings from the market leaders.

A Shrinking Market with Expanding Horizons

Despite the fierce competition, the European smartphone market as a whole contracted by 1% in 2025, with total shipments reaching 134.2 million units. This figure represents approximately 10.8% of global smartphone shipments, underscoring Europe’s continued importance as a key market for manufacturers worldwide.

As the dust settles on 2025, one thing is clear: while Samsung remains the undisputed king of volume, the real winners are Apple and Honor, whose growth trajectories suggest they are poised to challenge the status quo in the years to come. With innovation, brand loyalty, and strategic pricing driving the market, the battle for Europe’s smartphone crown is far from over.

Tags: Samsung, Apple, Honor, Xiaomi, Motorola, European smartphone market, Omdia report, Galaxy A56, iPhone 16, market share, 2025 sales, tech news, smartphone shipments, Nothing, Fairphone, Redmi Note 13 4G, premium smartphones, mid-range devices, market growth, Q4 2025, tech trends.

Viral Sentences: “Samsung dominates, but Apple and Honor steal the show!” “Honor breaks into the Top 5 for the first time—what a year!” “Galaxy A56 takes Europe by storm as the people’s favorite!” “Apple’s growth defies the odds in a shrinking market.” “Xiaomi’s fall from grace—Redmi Note 13 4G misses the Top 10.” “Nothing and Fairphone: the underdogs rising fast!” “The battle for Europe’s smartphone crown is just heating up!”

,