New Delhi— Apple posted its highest-ever first-quarter smartphone shipments in India during Q1 2025, fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 16 series and aggressive promotional offers during Republic Day sales, according to a new report from market research firm Canalys.
The launch of the iPhone 16e played a key role in expanding Apple’s reach into India’s tier 2 and tier 3 cities, helping the brand build deeper market penetration beyond metro areas.
“Apple’s growth came despite a challenging quarter marked by high channel inventory,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Senior Analyst at Canalys (now part of Omdia). He also noted that Samsung, despite a 23% year-on-year decline in overall shipments, recorded 5% annual growth for its S25 series—buoyed by premium product momentum and AI-driven features.
As demand slows across the board, both Apple and Samsung are leaning into ecosystem loyalty and premium pricing strategies to maintain market share. Chaurasia pointed out that rising average selling prices (ASPs) and financing-led premiumization continue to shift consumer focus toward the ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 ($250–$350) price range.
India’s role in the global smartphone supply chain is also strengthening due to evolving U.S. tariffs, which are driving brands to increase local manufacturing. However, the report warns that global demand softness—especially in export-dependent sectors—could pose risks in the near term.
Smartphone shipments in India totaled 32.4 million units in Q1 2025, reflecting modest market growth as the pandemic-fueled replacement cycle tapers off.
Vivo led the market with 7 million units shipped, claiming a 22% share. Samsung followed with 5.1 million units, while Xiaomi came in third with 4 million units and a 12% market share.
Despite market headwinds, Apple’s Q1 performance highlights the growing importance of India as a strategic growth market for premium smartphones. (Source: IANS)
