Technologies

Apple Set to Top Samsung in Global Smartphone Shipments, Analyst Says

Following the launch of the iPhone 17, Apple is set to overtake Samsung phone shipments for the first time in 14 years, according to an analyst report.

Apple is set to dethrone Samsung as the world’s top smartphone maker in 2025 and is expected to maintain that lead through at least 2029, according to a market report forecast from Counterpoint Research published Wednesday.

Counterpoint projects that global shipments of smartphones from Apple will grow by 9% year over year for the third quarter of 2025, pushing it past Samsung for the first time in 14 years. Shipments of the iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max exceeded expectations, per the report. Samsung shipments grew 4.6% year over year for the same quarter.

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Counterpoint senior analyst Yang Wang said that the reception for the iPhone 17 lineup was positive, and that customers replacing their older iPhones have given the tech giant a sizeable boost. «Consumers who purchased smartphones during the COVID-19 boom are now entering their upgrade phase,» Wang said. «Furthermore, 358 million second-hand iPhones were sold between 2023 and Q2 2025. These users are also likely to upgrade to a new iPhone in the coming years.»

Apple has delayed some AI features, including a revamped Siri with Apple Intelligence, but that has not seemed to hurt its iPhone sales, Counterpoint noted. Sales have been higher for the iPhone 17 than they were for the iPhone 16 released last year, notably in the US and China, according to the report.

Counterpoint expects that Apple’s introduction of a foldable iPhone and budget models, like an anticipated iPhone 17E that could launch as the company moves away from an annual release cycle, will help Apple continue its dominance over the next few years. The global smartphone market share for Apple will reach 19.4%, according to Counterpoint, compared with Samsung at 18.7%.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Watch on YouTube