Smartphone sales hit 5-yr high on iPhone surge, festive push
The Indian smartphone market just reminded us that even in a segment dominated by affordable gadgets, the allure of Apple's iPhone can still light up sales charts like Diwali fireworks. With a five-year high in sales, largely powered by Apple's record-breaking 5 million unit surge and festive season deals, this push has reset expectations about premium demand amidst a sea of budget alternatives. Meanwhile, brands spar over inventory and pricing, reminding us that the smartphone battlefield is fiercely competitive and price-sensitive.
Smartphone shipments in India reached 48 million units in Q3 2025, marking the highest quarterly shipment in five years according to IDC data. The growth of 4.3% year-over-year is fueled mainly by premium segment expansion—Apple hit a new milestone with 5 million iPhones sold, driven by the iPhone 16's popularity. Concurrently, Chinese brands Vivo and Oppo lead volume sales in mid-and lower-tier segments, while rising average selling prices reflect a consumer shift toward higher-value devices. Despite the festive consumption boost, the market faces challenges from inventory build-ups, component cost inflation, and currency fluctuations heading into the final quarter of 2025. Globally, smartphone shipments continue to grow modestly but steadily, with estimated 1.6 billion units sold worldwide in 2025, underscoring a maturing but dynamic market landscape.
