Global Smartphone Shipments Grow 2% in 2025, Led by Apple and Samsung
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy AAPL?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Market Growth Trend: Global smartphone shipments reached 1.25 billion units in 2025, marking a 2% year-over-year increase and the highest annual volume since 2021, although Greater China saw a slight decline due to the fading subsidy effects.
- Apple's Strong Performance: Apple achieved its highest-ever shipment volume in 2025, with iPhone shipments growing 7% to 240.6 million units, maintaining its position as the world's largest vendor for the third consecutive year, particularly thriving in China with a 26% year-on-year growth.
- Samsung's Significant Rebound: After three consecutive years of decline, Samsung's shipments grew 7% year-on-year in 2025, culminating in a 16% increase in Q4, driven by strong flagship demand and a recovery in entry-level markets, indicating a positive shift in market share.
- Emerging Brands Rising: Nothing emerged as the fastest-growing vendor in 2025, with an 86% increase in shipments surpassing 3 million units, while vivo claimed the fourth spot for the first time, growing 4% to 105.3 million units, highlighting intensified market competition and brand diversification.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy AAPL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on AAPL
Wall Street analysts forecast AAPL stock price to rise
27 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 264.350
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
Current: 264.350
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
About AAPL
Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a variety of related services. Its product categories include iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Wearables, Home and Accessories. Its software platforms include iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS. Its services include advertising, AppleCare, cloud services, digital content and payment services. The Company operates various platforms, including the App Store, that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games and podcasts. It also offers digital content through subscription-based services, including Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+. Its products include iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone SE, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Air, AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Apple Releases iOS 26.4 Beta and Announces Product Showcase
- New System Release: Apple launched the iOS 26.4 beta on Monday, introducing features like video podcasts and an Apple Music playlist tool, but lacking enhancements for Siri, indicating slow progress in AI that could impact user experience and market competitiveness.
- Product Showcase Announcement: Apple is set to host a 'special Apple Experience' on March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai; while details remain undisclosed, the 3D Apple logo's colors have sparked speculation about a new low-cost MacBook, potentially drawing media and consumer interest.
- Increased Stock Pressure: Apple's stock fell 8% last week, marking its largest weekly decline since April last year, despite reporting record iPhone revenue in the latest quarter, indicating strong demand but overshadowed by a broader tech sell-off affecting its stock performance.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Retail sentiment for AAPL has remained in the 'bearish' zone over the past week, reflecting investor concerns about future performance, particularly ahead of new product launches, which may affect short-term market confidence.
See More
Valley Wealth Managers Sells Sonoco Shares Worth $19.9 Million
- Share Sale Details: Valley Wealth Managers, Inc. disclosed in its February 4, 2026 SEC filing the sale of 479,832 shares of Sonoco Products Company, with an estimated transaction value of $19.9 million, indicating a significant $20.7 million decline in the fund's position due to market fluctuations during the quarter.
- Position Reduction: Following this transaction, Valley Wealth's stake in Sonoco was reduced to just 475 shares, valued at $20,729 at the end of the quarter, suggesting a waning confidence in Sonoco's future performance, which may impact its investment strategy moving forward.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of February 3, 2026, Sonoco's stock was priced at $49.01, reflecting a 7.9% increase over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 9 percentage points, indicating sluggish growth that may prompt investors to reassess its investment value.
- Investor Strategy Shift: In conjunction with the sale of Sonoco shares, Valley Wealth increased its investments in the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF and Apple, reflecting a strategic shift from underperforming traditional sectors to higher-growth tech stocks, aiming to mitigate risk and capitalize on market opportunities through diversification.
See More
Valley Wealth Reduces Sonoco Stake by Nearly 480K Shares
- Stake Reduction: Valley Wealth Managers disclosed in its February 4, 2026 SEC filing that it sold 479,832 shares of Sonoco Products Company, with the transaction valued at $19.9 million, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future growth potential.
- Asset Value Decline: The fund's position value dropped by $20.7 million quarter-over-quarter due to both the share sale and stock price fluctuations, indicating poor market performance and impacting investor confidence in Sonoco.
- Industry Context: Despite Sonoco's revenue surge of 42% in 2025, its historical low growth trajectory has led investors to be wary of its future prospects, prompting a shift of funds towards more promising tech stocks.
- Investment Strategy Shift: While reducing its stake in Sonoco, Valley Wealth increased investments in other top positions like the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF and Apple, indicating a strategy to seek broader growth opportunities in the current bull market.
See More
Walmart's Guidance Falls Short of Expectations
- Guidance Miss: Walmart's latest earnings report projects adjusted EPS for the fiscal year between $2.75 and $2.85, falling short of Wall Street's $2.96 forecast, resulting in a premarket stock drop of over 2%.
- Challenges Under New CEO: With John Furner taking the helm amid intensifying market competition, investor focus on his strategic direction is increasing, which could impact stock performance.
- Market Performance Review: Despite a recent stock increase of over 21% and nearly 175% over the past five years, the lowered guidance may raise concerns about Walmart's future growth potential among investors.
- Industry Dynamics Impact: On the same day as Walmart's report, Wayfair posted its first annual sales gain, while Etsy's stock rose after beating earnings expectations, indicating a potential pressure on Walmart from the recovering retail sector.
See More
Walmart's Guidance Falls Short of Expectations, Shares Drop
- Guidance Miss: Walmart's latest earnings report projects adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal year between $2.75 and $2.85, falling short of Wall Street's $2.96 forecast, resulting in a premarket share drop of over 2%.
- Leadership Transition Challenges: With new CEO John Furner recently taking the helm, investor focus intensifies on the company's future performance, particularly given Walmart's stock has risen over 21% in the past year.
- Market Reaction and Competitive Pressure: Despite Walmart's market cap surpassing $1 trillion earlier this month, investor confidence in future growth is challenged amid increasing competition in the retail sector.
- Other Retail Updates: In contrast, Wayfair reported its first annual sales gain since 2020, while Etsy's shares surged after beating Wall Street's earnings expectations, highlighting the varied performance across the retail landscape.
See More
Valuation Challenges Intensify for Tech Stocks
- Tech Stock Sell-off: A wave of selling in technology shares is occurring as investors express uncertainty about their future value, particularly as price-to-earnings ratios shrink dramatically, which negatively impacts overall investment sentiment.
- Danaher-Masimo Acquisition Risks: Danaher is acquiring Masimo at nearly 25 times next year's earnings, despite the latter's inability to justify its multiple over the years, raising concerns that could adversely affect Danaher's stock performance.
- CrowdStrike-Microsoft Partnership: CrowdStrike's Falcon platform is now available on the Microsoft Marketplace, which could significantly boost revenue; however, its current P/E ratio of 85 has led to a tepid market reaction, reflecting investor anxiety over high valuations.
- ServiceNow Management Confidence Issues: Despite ServiceNow's announcement of a $5 billion stock buyback and intentions from executives to buy shares, the stock price still fell, indicating market skepticism about its growth prospects amid intensifying AI competition.
See More
Apple Releases iOS 26.4 Beta and Announces Product Showcase
- New System Release: Apple launched the iOS 26.4 beta on Monday, introducing features like video podcasts and an Apple Music playlist tool, but lacking enhancements for Siri, indicating slow progress in AI that could impact user experience and market competitiveness.
- Product Showcase Announcement: Apple is set to host a 'special Apple Experience' on March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai; while details remain undisclosed, the 3D Apple logo's colors have sparked speculation about a new low-cost MacBook, potentially drawing media and consumer interest.
- Increased Stock Pressure: Apple's stock fell 8% last week, marking its largest weekly decline since April last year, despite reporting record iPhone revenue in the latest quarter, indicating strong demand but overshadowed by a broader tech sell-off affecting its stock performance.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Retail sentiment for AAPL has remained in the 'bearish' zone over the past week, reflecting investor concerns about future performance, particularly ahead of new product launches, which may affect short-term market confidence.
See More
Valley Wealth Managers Sells Sonoco Shares Worth $19.9 Million
- Share Sale Details: Valley Wealth Managers, Inc. disclosed in its February 4, 2026 SEC filing the sale of 479,832 shares of Sonoco Products Company, with an estimated transaction value of $19.9 million, indicating a significant $20.7 million decline in the fund's position due to market fluctuations during the quarter.
- Position Reduction: Following this transaction, Valley Wealth's stake in Sonoco was reduced to just 475 shares, valued at $20,729 at the end of the quarter, suggesting a waning confidence in Sonoco's future performance, which may impact its investment strategy moving forward.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of February 3, 2026, Sonoco's stock was priced at $49.01, reflecting a 7.9% increase over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 9 percentage points, indicating sluggish growth that may prompt investors to reassess its investment value.
- Investor Strategy Shift: In conjunction with the sale of Sonoco shares, Valley Wealth increased its investments in the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF and Apple, reflecting a strategic shift from underperforming traditional sectors to higher-growth tech stocks, aiming to mitigate risk and capitalize on market opportunities through diversification.
See More
Valley Wealth Reduces Sonoco Stake by Nearly 480K Shares
- Stake Reduction: Valley Wealth Managers disclosed in its February 4, 2026 SEC filing that it sold 479,832 shares of Sonoco Products Company, with the transaction valued at $19.9 million, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future growth potential.
- Asset Value Decline: The fund's position value dropped by $20.7 million quarter-over-quarter due to both the share sale and stock price fluctuations, indicating poor market performance and impacting investor confidence in Sonoco.
- Industry Context: Despite Sonoco's revenue surge of 42% in 2025, its historical low growth trajectory has led investors to be wary of its future prospects, prompting a shift of funds towards more promising tech stocks.
- Investment Strategy Shift: While reducing its stake in Sonoco, Valley Wealth increased investments in other top positions like the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF and Apple, indicating a strategy to seek broader growth opportunities in the current bull market.
See More
Walmart's Guidance Falls Short of Expectations
- Guidance Miss: Walmart's latest earnings report projects adjusted EPS for the fiscal year between $2.75 and $2.85, falling short of Wall Street's $2.96 forecast, resulting in a premarket stock drop of over 2%.
- Challenges Under New CEO: With John Furner taking the helm amid intensifying market competition, investor focus on his strategic direction is increasing, which could impact stock performance.
- Market Performance Review: Despite a recent stock increase of over 21% and nearly 175% over the past five years, the lowered guidance may raise concerns about Walmart's future growth potential among investors.
- Industry Dynamics Impact: On the same day as Walmart's report, Wayfair posted its first annual sales gain, while Etsy's stock rose after beating earnings expectations, indicating a potential pressure on Walmart from the recovering retail sector.
See More
Walmart's Guidance Falls Short of Expectations, Shares Drop
- Guidance Miss: Walmart's latest earnings report projects adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal year between $2.75 and $2.85, falling short of Wall Street's $2.96 forecast, resulting in a premarket share drop of over 2%.
- Leadership Transition Challenges: With new CEO John Furner recently taking the helm, investor focus intensifies on the company's future performance, particularly given Walmart's stock has risen over 21% in the past year.
- Market Reaction and Competitive Pressure: Despite Walmart's market cap surpassing $1 trillion earlier this month, investor confidence in future growth is challenged amid increasing competition in the retail sector.
- Other Retail Updates: In contrast, Wayfair reported its first annual sales gain since 2020, while Etsy's shares surged after beating Wall Street's earnings expectations, highlighting the varied performance across the retail landscape.
See More
Valuation Challenges Intensify for Tech Stocks
- Tech Stock Sell-off: A wave of selling in technology shares is occurring as investors express uncertainty about their future value, particularly as price-to-earnings ratios shrink dramatically, which negatively impacts overall investment sentiment.
- Danaher-Masimo Acquisition Risks: Danaher is acquiring Masimo at nearly 25 times next year's earnings, despite the latter's inability to justify its multiple over the years, raising concerns that could adversely affect Danaher's stock performance.
- CrowdStrike-Microsoft Partnership: CrowdStrike's Falcon platform is now available on the Microsoft Marketplace, which could significantly boost revenue; however, its current P/E ratio of 85 has led to a tepid market reaction, reflecting investor anxiety over high valuations.
- ServiceNow Management Confidence Issues: Despite ServiceNow's announcement of a $5 billion stock buyback and intentions from executives to buy shares, the stock price still fell, indicating market skepticism about its growth prospects amid intensifying AI competition.
See More
