India remains a fiercely competitive landscape for global smartphone manufacturers, as highlighted by the International Data Corporation (IDC) in its revealing regional sales report for the second quarter of 2025.
The fresh statistics, representing both triumphs and setbacks, underscore significant shifts among prominent players, including Vivo, Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Motorola, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. Navigating these figures complicates the task of determining a definitive frontrunner in this intensely contested market.
Apple’s Unexpected Standing
For those monitoring India’s smartphone market, the overt dominance of budget-friendly Android devices over iPhones is a familiar narrative. What may come as an astonishment, however, is Apple’s unexpected positioning at seventh place in the sales rankings by the conclusion of Q2 2025, lingering behind brands like Motorola and Vivo.
The tech giant has observed a rise in market share, climbing from 6.7 percent in Q2 2024 to 7.5 percent, bolstered by an impressive year-on-year sales growth of 19.7 percent. Paradoxically, this upswing has not elevated its ranking, potentially leaving loyal fans in Cupertino bewildered.
Vivo, having secured the leading position in Q2 2024, maintains its supremacy. Simultaneously, Motorola has recorded a remarkable 39.4 percent year-over-year shipment increase, while two brands—Nothing and IQOO—outshone it with extraordinary growth rates of 84.9 percent and 68.4 percent, respectively.
In stark contrast, OnePlus has grappled with the most pronounced decline among major players, witnessing a substantial 39.4 percent drop in shipments between Q2 2024 and 2025.
Summarily, the IDC forecasts a 7.3 percent uptick in sales relative to the previous year, estimating a total of 70 million units dispatched in the first half of 2025.
Nonetheless, this figure merely marks a 0.9 percent increase compared to last year’s performance, indicating that while growth persists, it remains tempered by a cautious consumer outlook.
Samsung Dominates the Premium Sector
In the context of India’s smartphone market, a discernible distinction exists between “premium” and “super-premium” devices, primarily characterized by their pricing. Devices priced between $600 and $800 fall into the premium classification, whereas those exceeding $800 are designated as super-premium.
In a notable development that may incite even the staunchest of Galaxy aficionados to celebrate, Samsung has narrowly outperformed Apple in the super-premium category, commanding a marginal 49 percent market share compared to Apple’s 48 percent.
Conversely, in the premium segment, Apple upholds its dominance, largely attributed to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15, which account for over 60 percent of shipments within this category. The growth noted in this segment is particularly remarkable, nearly doubling year-on-year at close to 100 percent.
Nevertheless, the mass budget and entry-premium segments dominate the overall market, representing 42 percent and 27 percent of shipments, respectively. Here, Apple’s absence from the upper echelons is particularly striking.
Vivo not only holds sway as the top seller in the $100 to $400 price range, but this success significantly bolsters its overall market leadership, leaving Apple striving to penetrate the top five vendors, much less the ambitious top three.
Queries & Clarifications
How did Apple perform in the recent IDC report compared to its competitors?
Apple secured seventh place among smartphone vendors in India for Q2 2025, enhancing its market share to 7.5 percent but falling short of brands like Motorola and Vivo.
What factors contributed to Motorola’s notable growth?
Motorola achieved an impressive 39.4 percent year-over-year shipment increase, propelled by robust consumer demand for its devices in a competitive landscape.
Which brands lead in India’s premium smartphone categories?
Samsung leads the super-premium sector with a slender edge over Apple, while Apple reigns in the standard premium segment, capturing over 60 percent of shipments, mainly due to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15.
Source link: Retailnews.asia.
