Apple has reached a historic milestone in its nearly two-decade smartphone journey, surpassing 3 billion iPhones shipped worldwide, according to new data shared by market analysts and confirmed by sources familiar with the company’s internal figures.

The achievement marks a significant moment for the Cupertino-based tech giant, which introduced the original iPhone in 2007 under the leadership of Steve Jobs. Since then, the device has evolved into a cultural and technological phenomenon, shaping the mobile industry and playing a central role in Apple’s transformation into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Industry research firm IDC reported that Apple crossed the 3 billion threshold in July 2025, buoyed by strong global demand for its iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 lineups, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Anticipation is also building for the iPhone 17 series, expected to launch in September.

“The iPhone continues to be a dominant force in global smartphone shipments despite increasing competition and market saturation,” said IDC senior analyst Anjali Purohit. “Crossing the 3 billion unit mark underscores both Apple’s scale and the enduring loyalty of its customer base.”

Apple has not officially announced the milestone but is expected to reference it during its next earnings call or product keynote.

The pace of growth has accelerated in recent years. Apple hit the 1 billion iPhones shipped milestone in 2016, nearly a decade after the first device was introduced. The 2 billion mark was reached in 2021, and it has taken just four more years to reach the third billion a testament to the brand’s widening reach in emerging markets and its continued success in premium-tier sales.

Analysts credit Apple’s iPhone success to its integrated hardware-software ecosystem, regular release cycles, expanding services revenue, and its focus on privacy and security all of which continue to attract new users while retaining existing ones.

The milestone comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected to feature bold design changes and new AI-powered features via iOS 19.

As of mid-2025, iPhones account for an estimated 70% of Apple’s hardware revenue and are central to the company’s ecosystem, driving usage of other products like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple services including iCloud, Apple Pay, and Apple Music.

With the 3 billion mark now in the rearview mirror, industry watchers say the next frontier for Apple may be expanding its smartphone dominance into adjacent categories particularly AI, spatial computing, and health technologies.