If you recently splurged on the sleek new iPhone 16, congratulations, you’re officially part of India’s latest smartphone growth wave. India smartphone shipments rose by 8% year-on-year (YoY) in Q2 2025, and leading the charge as the most-shipped device is Apple’s highly coveted iPhone 16, according to the latest Counterpoint Monthly India Smartphone Tracker.
In This Article
Launch Frenzy Sparks Market Revival
Driven by an aggressive 33% YoY jump in smartphone launches, brands fiercely competed to charm consumers, especially in mid-range and premium segments. This flurry of fresh releases, combined with tempting offers like no-cost EMIs, trade-ins, and bundled discounts, resulted in an 18% YoY spike in the market’s wholesale value, the highest-ever recorded for the second quarter.
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Senior Research Analyst Prachir Singh attributes this comeback to an improved macroeconomic environment boosting consumer confidence. “Retail inflation at a six-year low and strategic tax relief measures put extra rupees in consumer pockets, making premium devices more tempting,” he explained.
Premium Segment Shines Brightest
With the India smartphone shipments rise, the ultra-premium smartphone segment (Rs 45,000 and above) dazzled, growing at an impressive 37% YoY. Flagship players Apple and Samsung seized the opportunity, pushing affordability schemes to make their aspirational devices more accessible. Apple, in particular, leveraged this trend magnificently, positioning the iPhone 16 as the standout star.
Samsung, while second in shipment volume behind vivo, clinched the top spot in wholesale value share at 23%, buoyed by robust sales of its Galaxy A and Galaxy S series, alongside attractive summer promotions.
Brand Battles Heat Up
Research Analyst Shubham Singh noted vivo’s dominance, fueled by solid performances from its Y and T series in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 range. Meanwhile, OPPO secured third place through strategic portfolio refreshes and incentives for retailers.
Notable mentions include Nothing, whose shipments skyrocketed by an extraordinary 146% YoY, driven primarily by the CMF Phone 2 Pro and aggressive retail expansion. Motorola and Lava also reported impressive growth, at 86% and 156% YoY, respectively, thanks to deeper penetration into smaller cities and competitive product lineups.
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Chipmakers Riding the Wave
On the chipset front, MediaTek maintained market leadership with a 47% share. Qualcomm wasn’t far behind, marking a 28% YoY growth in shipments, underscoring strong demand for premium smartphones.
Apple’s iPhone 16’s rise to the top marks Apple’s best-ever Q2 performance in India, bolstered by extended EMI plans, promotional discounts, and enhanced retail presence.
What We Think
Given India’s ongoing economic positivity and consumer optimism, the smartphone market looks set for continued growth. Brands willing to innovate and provide tangible value, especially in the premium segments, will likely keep winning hearts and market share.
