Best-Selling Cellphone Brands (1996-2022)


Updated timeline of the most popular cellphone manufacturers from 1996 to 2022. Ranked by annual worldwide sales of mobile phone brands.

Data source: annual sales reports, 10-K SEC quarterly reports.

1996–2000: The Dawn of Mobile Phones
Nokia: Dominates the market with reliable feature phones (like the 3210 and 3310), appealing to consumers globally.

Motorola: Strong early presence with iconic models like the StarTAC and later the RAZR (released in 2004).

Ericsson: Competes fiercely in Europe and Asia.

2000–2007: Feature Phones & Nokia’s Peak
Nokia: Reigns supreme with a massive market share (~40% globally by early 2000s). The 1100 model became the best-selling phone of all time.

Motorola: The RAZR V3 (2004) became the best-selling clamshell phone.

Samsung: Starts gaining traction in mid-2000s with its growing range of flip phones and early smartphones.

Sony Ericsson: A joint venture launched in 2001, famous for Walkman phones.

2007–2012: The Smartphone Revolution
Apple: Launches the iPhone in 2007, redefining the market and pushing smartphones mainstream.

Samsung: Enters the smartphone arena with the Galaxy series (2009–2010), quickly becoming a top contender.

Nokia: Starts losing ground to smartphone-focused rivals.

BlackBerry: Popular with business users for secure messaging and QWERTY keyboards, but struggles against touchscreens.

2012–2017: Android’s Global Domination
Samsung: Becomes the world’s top smartphone brand, leading Android’s charge.

Apple: Maintains a solid premium market share.

Huawei: Rises as a major force, especially in China and emerging markets.

Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo: Emerging Chinese brands that surge in popularity thanks to aggressive pricing and innovation.

Nokia: Exits the phone market in 2014 (acquired by Microsoft).

2017–2022: Chinese Brands Surge & 5G Begins
Samsung: Remains the top seller in many years, known for flagship Galaxy S and A series.

Apple: Consistently high global sales with each iPhone release.

Huawei: Peaks in 2019–2020 but faces a decline due to US sanctions.

Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo: Major players globally, especially in Asia and Europe.

Transsion: Brands like Tecno and Infinix dominate in Africa.

2022 Snapshot (Global Market Leaders)
Samsung – ~21% market share

Apple – ~17%

Xiaomi – ~13%

OPPO & Vivo – ~10% each

Transsion – Growing in Africa

Huawei – Reduced presence globally due to restrictions

Fun Facts & Trivia
Nokia 1100 is the best-selling phone of all time (~250 million units!).

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014) became Apple’s best-sellers, crossing 220 million units.

BlackBerry once had over 20% market share in 2009—now almost extinct in phones.

Motorola’s RAZR was so iconic that Motorola revived it as a foldable smartphone in 2019.



Source: Data is Beautiful

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