iPhone Sales History: From 2007 to Now

The iPhone’s journey is one of the most influential stories in modern consumer technology. Since Apple entered the smartphone market in 2007, the iPhone has reshaped how people communicate, create, work and stay connected. Year by year, Apple improved its hardware and software while building one of the most loyal user communities in the world. By looking at the iPhone’s annual sales, global market share and key product milestones, we can clearly see how the device evolved from an ambitious idea to a market-leading icon.

Apple’s first iPhone launched in 2007 and recorded 2.3 million units sold in its debut year. Even at this early stage, the iPhone stood out from traditional phones because of its touch interface and focus on mobile internet use. In 2008, iPhone sales grew dramatically to around 12 million, driven by the launch of the App Store and the introduction of the iPhone 3G, which helped expand Apple’s presence in global markets.

The growth continued steadily in the following years. In 2009, sales reached nearly 25 million, as more users adopted smartphones for everyday communication. By 2010, iPhone sales climbed to 46.6 million, capturing 2.9% of the global phone market — a clear sign that Apple was gaining strong momentum. The breakthrough moment came in 2011 with the launch of the iPhone 4S. The model sold about 60 million units and also became the best-selling phone model of the year. Apple as a whole sold 89.2 million iPhones in 2011, securing a 5% market share.

In 2012, the iPhone 5 pushed sales even higher, with 70 million units sold and 130 million total iPhones sold that year worldwide. By 2013, the iPhone 5S led Apple to 150.7 million total sales and an 8.3% market share. Then came one of the biggest turning points in iPhone history: the introduction of larger displays with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. These models became massively successful, selling 222 million units, making the iPhone the world’s best-selling smartphone series that year. Apple held a 10.2% market share, and the iPhone officially became a mainstream global standard.

In 2015, the iPhone 6S lineup continued Apple’s dominance with 174.5 million units sold for that year alone, and 225 million total iPhones sold, giving Apple a strong 15.9% market share. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 2016 maintained high popularity with 216 million total sales worldwide. In 2017, the introduction of the iPhone X and its new Face ID technology marked another major shift. That year, the iPhone 8 series and iPhone X together captured both the 1st and 2nd place in global smartphone model rankings — a first in the industry. Apple’s total sales for 2017 were about 214.9 million units.

The next few years saw Apple maintain strong but more competitive growth. The iPhone XR in 2018 sold 77.4 million units by itself, helping Apple reach 209 million total sales. In 2019, the iPhone 11 became one of the most successful models ever with 102 million units sold, while the entire Apple lineup reached 193.4 million units for the year. In 2020, the iPhone 12 series marked the introduction of 5G support, leading to 199.8 million total units sold worldwide and a 14.8% market share.

From 2021 onward, Apple began leading the smartphone market more consistently. In 2021, multiple iPhone generations — including the 11, 12 and 13 series — were the top-selling models globally, helping Apple reach 237 million total sales and a 16% market share. The trend continued in 2022, where iPhones once again occupied top global rankings, securing 226 million total sales and a strong 18.8% share. In 2023, Apple achieved a historic milestone: for the first time, Apple became the number one smartphone seller, surpassing Samsung for the first time since 2012, with 234.6 million units and over 20% market share. Apple maintained this leadership into 2024, selling 232.1 million iPhones and staying in the top position worldwide for the second year in a row.

iPhone Sales History Table (2007–2024)

Over the years, the iPhone has not only grown in numbers — it has shaped design trends, pushed camera innovation, influenced software ecosystems, and changed communication culture. The sales and market share data reflect more than business success; they reflect the trust of users who adopt the iPhone generation after generation.