Vivo Dominates Indian Smartphone Market in Q3 2025; Apple Achieves Record iPhone Shipments
New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) – Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has secured its position as the frontrunner in the Indian smartphone landscape, commanding an impressive 18.3 percent market share in volume for the third quarter, according to a report released by market research firm IDC on Tuesday. Concurrently, Apple reached unprecedented heights, with a staggering shipment of 5 million iPhones in the same quarter.
The International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker indicates that Apple has effectively led the premium smartphone segment, defined as devices priced between Rs 53,000 and Rs 71,000, as well as the super-premium segment (above Rs 71,000), thus propelling the overall growth of the smartphone market in India.
India’s smartphone market has achieved a five-year peak in Q3 2025, exhibiting a year-over-year growth of 4.3 percent, culminating in sales of 48 million units.
This expansion is attributable to robust demand for premium devices, driven by both new releases and the popularity of previous-generation models, the report elaborated.
The premium segment alone witnessed a remarkable growth rate of 43.3 percent year-over-year, escalating its market share from 4 to 6 percent.
“Apple’s iPhone 16, iPhone 15, and iPhone 17 collectively constituted over 70 percent of shipments within this premium category. The super-premium segment experienced an exceptional growth rate of 52.9 percent YoY, with its market share rising from 6 to 8 percent.
Apple regained its leadership position from Samsung, capturing 66 percent of the super-premium market as opposed to Samsung’s 31 percent. Key contributors to this segment’s growth included the iPhone 16, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold7, iPhone 16 Pro, and Galaxy S25 Ultra,” the report stated.
Apple’s iPhone supplies soared by 25.6 percent, fueled by the sustained demand for both new and existing models.
The iPhone 16 emerged as the most-shipped smartphone in India during this quarter, representing 5 percent of total market shipments.
Meanwhile, the freshly launched iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air made a historic debut, comprising 16 percent of Apple’s Q3 shipments—the most robust launch-quarter performance for an iPhone since 2021, the report indicated.
Vivo maintained its market lead with an 18.3 percent share, stemming from a notable growth of approximately 21 percent in smartphone supplies. Following Vivo was Oppo with a 13.9 percent share, then Samsung at 12.6 percent, Apple at 10.4 percent, Realme at 9.8 percent, and Xiaomi at 9.2 percent.
“It is noteworthy that eTailers significantly capitalized on discount-driven sales of older flagship models from both Apple and Samsung, markedly enhancing overall volumes,” remarked Aditya Rampal, IDC Asia/Pacific’s senior research analyst for device research.
Despite the high growth trajectory, Chinese competitor OnePlus experienced a staggering decline in shipment volumes, plunging 30.5 percent, whereas Motorola reported the highest growth rate at 52.4 percent, according to IDC evaluations.
The IDC report further indicated that the growth momentum was impeded by sluggish demand for entry-level Android smartphones and escalating average selling prices (ASPs), underscoring the market’s ongoing transition towards more premium categories.
Average selling prices for smartphones soared to an unprecedented USD 294 (approximately Rs 26,000) in the September 2025 quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 13.7 percent, driven by vigorous demand for premium and high-specification models.
Shipments of smartphones utilizing Qualcomm chipsets rose by 17.9 percent YoY during this quarter, seizing a 29.2 percent market share. Conversely, the share of MediaTek chipset-based smartphones dwindled by approximately 53 percent, accounting for 46 percent YoY.
IDC has also forecasted a year-over-year decline in shipments for the December quarter, anticipating figures to drop below 150 million units this year due to post-festival price increases.
Upasana Joshi, senior research manager for device research at IDC Asia Pacific, noted that aggressive festive promotions and adaptable financing options facilitated substantial shipment volumes in Q3 2025.
However, consumer attention appears concentrated in the premium segment, placing the mass market under strain and resulting in significant inventory accumulation heading into the fourth quarter of 2025.
This surplus has been further exacerbated by rising component costs—particularly in memory—and currency fluctuations, compelling brands to hike prices post-Diwali. Consequently, IDC projects a year-over-year decline in shipments for Q4 2025, Joshi concluded.
Source link: Money.rediff.com.
