Apple Inc. has achieved a seismic shift in the smartphone industry, surpassing Samsung in shipments for the first time in 14 years, according to Counterpoint Research. The company is projected to ship 243 million iPhones in 2025, exceeding Samsung's 235 million, and capturing a 19.4% global market share driven by robust demand for the iPhone 17 series.
This milestone coincides with Apple's stock hitting an all-time high of $280.38 on November 25, 2025, boosting its market valuation to $4.12 trillion and narrowing the gap with Nvidia for the world's largest publicly traded company. JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee maintains an overweight rating with a $305 price target, citing supply trailing consumer interest in the iPhone 17 as a bullish sign for 2026 growth.
Despite layoffs in Apple's sales organization affecting roles in government and corporate sectors, the company's technical indicators remain strong, with shares trading above all major moving averages and a relative strength index below 60. The upgrade cycle from COVID-era purchases and a $100 billion stock buyback program further support the investment case, with Apple's forward P/E ratio under 34 seen as reasonable amid AI-related potential.
