New Delhi– Apple recorded the highest year-over-year growth among the top five smartphone brands in India during the January–March quarter of 2025, posting a 23% increase in shipments, according to a report released Monday by the International Data Corporation (IDC). The tech giant shipped a record three million units in the first quarter, its strongest Q1 performance to date in the country.
The iPhone 16 emerged as the top-shipped model during the quarter, accounting for 4% of total smartphone shipments in India.
In the early months of the year, most brands limited new product launches and focused instead on retail incentives such as price cuts and discounts on older models to reduce existing inventory. However, momentum picked up in March, with a surge in new product launches across all price segments, accompanied by ramped-up marketing efforts aimed at boosting demand.
“New launches accelerated in March, supported by enhanced marketing activities across price points,” said Aditya Rampal, Senior Market Analyst for Devices Research at IDC Asia Pacific.
The average selling price (ASP) of smartphones in India reached a new high of $274 in Q1 2025, representing a 4% year-over-year increase. The premium segment (devices priced between $600 and $800) witnessed the highest growth, surging by 78.6% and doubling its market share from 2% to 4%. Notably, the iPhone 16 alone accounted for 32% of shipments in this segment.
Strong gains were also seen in the mid-premium segment ($400–$600), which grew 74% year-over-year, increasing its market share from 3% to 6%. Apple and Samsung were the primary beneficiaries in this bracket, driven by the popularity of the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy A56.
India’s transition to 5G also continued at pace. Nearly 29 million 5G smartphones were shipped in Q1 2025, pushing 5G’s share of total smartphone shipments to 88%, up from 69% a year ago. Interestingly, the average selling price of 5G devices dropped by 11% year-over-year to $300, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
The affordable 5G segment (under $100) accounted for 7% of 5G shipments, thanks to a wave of budget-friendly launches. Still, 45% of 5G smartphones shipped fell within the $100–$200 price range, reinforcing India’s mass-market demand.
In terms of chipsets, Qualcomm saw a notable 40.8% growth in shipments, capturing 31.8% market share—driven largely by entry-level devices like Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C. Meanwhile, MediaTek’s share dropped from 55.3% to 43.6%, reflecting a 25.5% decline in year-over-year shipments.
IDC anticipates modest growth for the Indian smartphone market in 2025. While unit shipments are expected to rise in the low single digits, continued increases in ASPs are projected to drive mid-single-digit growth in overall market value. (Source: IANS)
