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iPhone 16 Tops India's Sales Chart, Signaling a Major Shift in Buyer Habits

The iPhone 16 base model emerged as India's top-selling smartphone in 2025, signaling a consumer shift away from the budget segment. Strong sales are driven by Apple's brand appeal and widespread financing options like EMI plans, which now account for 60% of premium smartphone purchases. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company set a quarterly revenue record in India during the October-December period, highlighting the market's strategic importance. Apple also plans to open another retail store in Mumbai soon, further cementing its expansion in the world's second-largest smartphone market.

Key Points: iPhone 16 Becomes India's Top-Selling Smartphone in 2025

  • iPhone 16 is India's top-selling model
  • 60% of premium phones bought on EMI
  • India is Apple's record revenue market
  • Apple plans new Mumbai store
2 min read

India's smartphone purchase pattern changes as iPhone 16 tops sales chart

Apple's iPhone 16 leads India's smartphone market as premium purchases surge, fueled by EMI plans and record revenue growth for Apple in the country.

"We continued to gain momentum in emerging markets, which includes India, where we saw strong double-digit revenue growth. - Tim Cook"

Mumbai, Jan 31

Indian consumers' smartphone buying patterns showed a marked shift moving away from the traditional budget‑segment dominance, as Apple Inc.'s iPhone 16 base variant emerged as the top‑selling smartphone model in 2025, a report has said.

Counterpoint Research report said that India recorded about 154 million smartphone shipments in 2025, of which the iPhone 16 base model accounted for roughly 6.16 million units, representing about 4 per cent of the overall market by volume.

The iPhone 16, launched in September 2024, is priced at around Rs 71,000 for the base variant.

Around 60 per cent of premium smartphones in India are now purchased on equated monthly instalment (EMI) plans, Counterpoint Research found

The device's strong selling in India is due to Apple's brand appeal and financing options such as EMIs that have broadened affordability, further supported by exchange offers.

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently has said that the Cupertino-based company set a quarterly revenue record during the October-December period in India.

India has seen Apple production and exports touching new highs with each quarter.

For the December quarter, Apple set all-time revenue records in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia Pacific.

"We continued to gain momentum in emerging markets, which includes India, where we saw strong double-digit revenue growth," said Cook during the earnings call late on Thursday (US time) adding that the company has plans to open another store in Mumbai soon.

Responding to an analyst, the Apple CEO said they did set a quarterly revenue record during the December quarter in India.

"India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world and the fourth largest PC market," he said, adding that the company "set quarterly revenue records on iPhone and Mac and iPad, and an all-time revenue record on services".

Kevan Parekh, Apple's CFO, said iPhone revenue was $85.3 billion, up 23 per cent year-over-year, driven by the iPhone 17 family.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While it's impressive, I worry about the debt culture this promotes. 60% on EMI? That's a lot of monthly commitments for a phone. What about essential expenses? The aspiration is good, but financial responsibility is key. We shouldn't stretch ourselves thin just for a brand.
A
Aman W
Make in India is working! Apple's production and exports are at new highs. This creates jobs and boosts our economy. It's a win-win. The phone might be expensive, but at least a good chunk of it is now assembled here. 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently upgraded, the camera and battery life on the iPhone 16 are genuinely worth it for my work. The 2-day battery is a lifesaver. Yes, it's an investment, but the productivity boost and reliability matter more to me now than a budget phone that lags in a year.
K
Karthik V
Chinese brands should be worried. The premium segment was their playground with OnePlus, etc. Now Apple is eating their lunch. Indian consumers are becoming more brand-conscious and quality-focused. Interesting times ahead!
N
Nisha Z
It's still only 4% of the total market. Let's not get carried away. The vast majority of India still buys phones under ₹30,000. The headline is exciting, but the real story is in the mid-range where most sales happen. The average Indian's wallet hasn't changed that much.

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