NewKerala.com

India's Smartphone Boom Hits 5-Year High as Apple Shatters Records

India's smartphone market has hit its highest point in five years during the festive third quarter. Apple achieved its best-ever quarterly performance with 5 million iPhones shipped across the country. The iPhone 16 emerged as the most popular smartphone model while the new iPhone 17 series had a record-breaking debut. However, experts warn that rising prices and inventory buildup may lead to a market contraction in the coming quarter.

Key Points: India Smartphone Market Hits 5-Year High Apple Record Q3

  • India's smartphone market grew 4.3% YoY to 48 million units in Q3 2025
  • Apple achieved record 5 million shipments with 25.6% YoY growth
  • iPhone 16 was the most-shipped smartphone accounting for 5% of total market
  • Samsung reclaimed top position followed by OPPO and OnePlus in rankings
2 min read

India's smartphone market at 5-year high, Apple logs highest-ever quarterly shipments

India's smartphone market reaches 48M units in Q3 2025, highest in 5 years. Apple logs record 5M shipments while iPhone 16 leads market.

"Aggressive festive promotions and flexible financing options drove strong shipment volumes in Q3 2025 - Upasana Joshi, IDC Asia Pacific"

New Delhi, Nov 11

The smartphone market in India reached a five-year high in the festive third quarter of 2025 (Q3), growing 4.3 per cent year-over-year (YoY) to 48 million units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) data released on Tuesday.

Apple recorded its highest-ever quarterly shipments in India in the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), reaching 5 million units and securing the fourth position in the market for the first time.

The iPhone maker achieved a strong 25.6 per cent YoY growth, driven by sustained demand across both new and existing models.

The iPhone 16 remained the most-shipped smartphone in India during the quarter, contributing 5 per cent of total market shipments, while the newly launched iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air saw a record-breaking debut, accounting for 16 per cent of Apple’s Q3 shipments — the strongest launch-quarter performance for any iPhone since 2021.

The mid-premium segment grew 10.7 per cent YoY, with share rising from 3 per cent to 4 per cent. Samsung climbed to the top position, followed by OPPO and OnePlus.

The Galaxy S24 contributed nearly one-quarter of total shipments in this range, driven by steep discounting on e-tailer platforms.

“Aggressive festive promotions and flexible financing options drove strong shipment volumes in Q3 2025. However, consumer demand remained concentrated in the premium segment, leaving the mass market under pressure and resulting in a significant inventory build-up heading into Q4 2025,” said Upasana Joshi, senior research manager, Devices Research, IDC Asia Pacific.

This surplus has been further exacerbated by rising component costs — particularly in memory — and currency fluctuations, prompting brands to raise prices post-Diwali.

“As a result, IDC forecasts a year-over-year decline in shipments for Q4 2025, leading to an overall annual contraction, with total smartphone shipments expected to fall below 150 million units for the year,” Joshi mentioned.

Smartphone average selling prices (ASPs) surged to a record $294 in Q3, growing 13.7 per cent year-over-year (YoY), driven by strong demand for premium and higher-spec models.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
But what about the common man? ₹294 average price is too high for most Indians. Brands should focus on affordable 5G phones instead of pushing premium models. The mass market is being ignored completely.
A
Ananya R
Samsung still leading shows their strong presence across all price segments. Galaxy S24 with discounts was a smart move. Apple at 4th position is impressive though - never thought I'd see that in India!
V
Vikram M
The inventory buildup is concerning. After Diwali, prices are going up again due to component costs. Perfect timing for those who bought during festive sales! 🎉 Made in India iPhones are definitely helping Apple's growth story.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in tech, I appreciate how flexible financing options have made premium phones accessible. But the predicted decline in Q4 is worrying for the industry. Brands need to balance premium and budget segments better.
K
Karthik V
Indian smartphone market is maturing fast! From basic feature phones to premium iPhones in just a decade. The aspirational value of Apple products is driving this growth. Hope local brands like Micromax and Lava can make a comeback too.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50