India’s smartphone market hit a five-year peak in Q3 2025 during the festive season, increasing by 4.3% YoY to 48 million units, according to IDC data released on Tuesday.
Apple achieved its highest quarterly shipments ever in India in Q3 2025, reaching 5 million units and securing the fourth spot in the market for the first time. The company experienced a strong 25.6% YoY growth, supported by steady demand for both new and existing models.
The iPhone 16 remained the top-selling smartphone in India this quarter, accounting for 5% of total shipments. The new iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air made an impressive debut, representing 16% of Apple’s quarterly shipments, the best launch quarter for any iPhone since 2021.
The mid-premium segment grew by 10.7% YoY, with market share rising from 3% to 4%. Samsung moved into the lead, followed by OPPO and OnePlus. The Galaxy S24 accounted for nearly a quarter of this segment’s shipments, driven by significant discounts on online platforms.
“Aggressive festive promotions and flexible financing options drove strong shipment volumes in Q3 2025. However, consumer demand was mainly focused on the premium segment, putting pressure on the mass market and causing a substantial inventory buildup heading into Q4 2025,” said Upasana Joshi, senior research manager at IDC Asia Pacific.
This excess stock has been worsened by rising component costs, particularly for memory, and currency fluctuations, prompting brands to raise prices after Diwali. IDC forecasts a YoY decline in shipments for Q4 2025, leading to a full-year contraction, with total smartphone shipments expected to fall below 150 million units for the year,” Joshi added.
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Meanwhile, average selling prices (ASPs) for smartphones reached a record $294 in Q3, up 13.7% YoY, driven by high demand for premium and high-spec models.
