Apple achieved its highest iPhone shipments ever in India during 2025, driven by premium demand and expanded retail presence.
Apple’s iPhone had its best performance yet in India during 2025, even as the country’s overall smartphone market showed little growth. New market figures reveal that Apple continues to strengthen its position in India, driven by rising demand for premium devices, wider availability, and a growing services ecosystem.
iPhone Shipments Reach New High
In 2025, Apple shipped nearly 14 million iPhones in India. This marked a significant increase compared to previous years. At the same time, the country’s total smartphone market remained largely unchanged, with annual shipments between 152 and 153 million units.
Because of this contrast, Apple’s market share rose to a record 9 percent for the year. In 2024, the company held a 7 percent share. This makes 2025 the strongest year ever for iPhone sales in India, which is now the world’s second-largest smartphone market by volume. Industry experts say the growth came from a strong product lineup, increasing brand appeal, and better access across online and offline sales channels.
India Emerges as a Key Market for Apple
Apple executives have repeatedly highlighted India as an important growth market. During an earnings call in October, CEO Tim Cook said the company achieved an all-time revenue record in the country. Apple’s finance chief also confirmed that the active iPhone user base in India reached a new peak.
Apple also saw a record number of users upgrading their devices during the year. This shows that the company is not only attracting first-time buyers but also encouraging existing users to stay within the Apple ecosystem.
Expanding Manufacturing and Retail Presence
Beyond sales numbers, Apple has continued to expand its physical footprint in India. The company has increased local manufacturing, which supports government initiatives and helps manage costs.
Apple has also been investing heavily in retail. In late 2025, it opened its fifth official Apple Store in the country. This new store, located in Noida, is part of a broader retail expansion that began in 2023. These stores allow Apple to better control customer experience and build stronger brand loyalty.
Affordable Services to Attract More Users
Apple is also focusing on services to deepen its reach in India. Earlier this year, the company launched Apple Creator Studio, a subscription bundle that includes creative tools such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.
The service is priced at ₹399 per month in India, which is significantly lower than the price charged in the United States. This pricing strategy reflects Apple’s effort to adapt its offerings to local purchasing power and attract a wider range of users. By offering premium services at lower prices, Apple aims to build long-term engagement with Indian customers.
Smartphone Market Growth Remains Slow
While Apple had a strong year, the broader smartphone market in India showed signs of stagnation. The country is expected to record its fourth straight year with shipments close to 152 million units.
Even during the festive season in the October to December quarter, shipments declined by 8 to 10 percent compared to the previous year. Several factors contributed to this slowdown. Consumers are holding on to their devices for longer periods. Fewer users are upgrading from feature phones to smartphones. Refurbished phones are also becoming more popular due to lower prices.
Premium Segment Continues to Expand
Despite the slowdown in total shipments, the premium smartphone segment continued to grow. Devices priced above ₹30,000 saw a 15% increase in shipments during 2025. This category now accounts for 23 percent of all smartphone shipments in India, which is the highest share ever recorded. The shift toward higher-priced devices has benefited brands like Apple that focus on premium products.
Competition Still Dominated by Android Brands
Even with its record performance, Apple did not enter the top three smartphone brands in India by shipment volume. Vivo led the market with a 23 percent share, followed by Samsung at 15 percent and Xiaomi at 13 percent. This highlights how India’s market is still largely driven by affordable Android devices, even as premium phones gain popularity.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead, analysts expect India’s smartphone market to decline slightly by around 2 percent in 2026. Rising memory prices could impact demand in the lower price segments and force manufacturers to reduce offers or increase prices.
However, average smartphone prices are expected to rise again, continuing the trend toward premium devices. For Apple, this environment may provide further opportunities to grow, even if the overall market remains flat.
About The Author
