Last Updated on June 9, 2026
Market research firm Counterpoint has released the list of the top 10 best-selling phones of 2021. The report reflects the oligopoly of three phone makers despite the heavy presence of multiple phone makers in the market, whereas Apple iPhone dominates the list. Read more about the devices and market share.
In its report, Counterpoint says the top 10 best-selling smartphones accounted for 19 percent of the total sales in 2021. Strikingly, only three companies made it to the top 10 – Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi.
Meanwhile, Apple highlighted its monopoly with 7 iPhones bursting in the list. It’s the brand’s best performance so far yet. Likewise, Xiaomi acquired 2 spots and Samsung had one. The research firm reports that there were over 4,200 active smartphone models in 2021.
Top 10 best selling phones of 2021
| S.N. | Smartphone | Market Share % |
| 1 | Apple iPhone 12 | 2.9 |
| 2 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | 2.2 |
| 3 | Apple iPhone 13 | 2.1 |
| 4 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | 2.1 |
| 5 | Apple iPhone 11 | 2.0 |
| 6 | Samsung Galaxy A12 | 2.0 |
| 7 | Xiaomi Redmi 9A | 1.9 |
| 8 | Apple iPhone SE 2020 | 1.6 |
| 9 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 1.3 |
| 10 | Xiaomi Redmi 9 | 1.1 |
Check out: iPhones Price in Nepal
Apple Rules the List of Best-Selling Phones of 2021
The top 5 were all an Apple show-off at the expense of its iPhone 12 Series. The iPhone 12 came atop as the best-selling handset of 2021. This was followed by the iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 11. The first three globe-trotting models gave Apple 41 percent of the total sales in 2021.
Counterpoint says the rollout of 5G connectivity in the iPhone 12 Series drove its strong sales. Meanwhile, the report shows the latest iPhone 13 Series is faring well in the market with iPhone 13 Pro Max ranking 9th. The iPhone SE 2020 clinches 8th standing in the list. Besides, the report states that the iPhone 13, the base variant in the Series has become the top-selling phone in Q4, 2021.
At sixth comes Samsung’s Galaxy A12. It is Samsung’s entry-level offering and maintained a very high demand globally. The report says, “good camera setup, big battery size, six memory configurations, and longer software support” made it a “value-for-money product that clicked with customers”.
Samsung has succeeded the Galaxy A12 with the Galaxy A13 which also comes with 5G support. The device was launched in December 2021.
Xiaomi enters with two devices
Facing the two heavy smartphone giants, Xiaomi entered the list with two devices – Redmi 9A and Redmi 9 – accounting for the brand’s 22 percent total sales in 2021. The report says Xiaomi performed strongly globally but China, India, and Asia-Pacific stood its top markets. These devices sold gigantically for the brand for its lower price in “price-conscious regions”.
Counterpoint says the share of the top 10 models is growing YoY and notices “brands on their leading models and making their portfolios leaner in some cases.” It adds that component shortage has hurt the entry-level phone segment.
Which was your favorite device from the devices featured in the top 10 best-selling phones of 2021 and why? You can share with us which feature stood out for you in your device of choice in the comments.
