According to Counterpoint Research’s Monthly Market Pulse report (www.counterpointresearch.com), global Apple iPhone sales grew a healthy 26% annually crossing 20 million unit monthly sales mark for the first time ever in November 2014.

Apple’s iPhone volumes grew across key countries with the roll-out of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models. It was also helped by relatively lower priced iPhone 5s and 5c models, targeting prepaid users in emerging markets. Japan, Korea and China were the bright spots where Apple registered a higher than expected demand for its newer and bigger display sporting iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models.

Apple’s iPhone market share soared and reached record levels in Japan and Korea markets. In Japan, one of the most premium smartphone markets in the world, Apple captured more than half of the smartphone sales in October as well as November.

Japan has been one of the strongest market for Apple and it is becoming increasingly difficult for competition to challenge Apple’s dominance in near- to mid-term. Apple will likely benefit from the upcoming Apple Watch with a growing and premium iPhone user-base in this highly advanced consumer market, says Counterpoint Research.

In Korea, Apple captured a record one-third of the total smartphone sales in November, first time ever challenging rival Samsung’s strong foothold in its home market. In China, iPhone sales reached a record monthly high volumes, growing more than 45% annually in November, as rich urban Chinese consumers quickly warmed to the bigger iPhone form-factors.

In other important markets such as the US, iPhone demand remained relatively healthy compared to last year whereas in fast growing smartphone market India, Apple is on track to sell almost a million units for the last three months of 2014. Counterpoint Research estimates, Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus momentum will continue into December and help Apple register its best ever iPhone quarter.