The Indian smartphone market saw a significant decline in shipments at the beginning of 2025, marking a 9.7% year-on-year (YoY) drop in January, as per the latest report by the International Data Corporation (IDC). This downturn is attributed to weak consumer demand and surplus inventory from late 2024. However, despite the overall market slowdown, Apple registered a strong YoY growth of 11.7%, securing a top-five position in the Indian smartphone market.

Key Trends Impacting the Market

According to IDC, a total of 11.1 million smartphone units were shipped in India in January 2025. This decline follows a similar pattern observed in Q4 2024, where market conditions were affected by excess stock and slower-than-expected demand. Although 2024 closed with 4% YoY growth, the industry struggled to maintain momentum at the start of 2025.

Even with new product launches, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and multiple mid-range smartphone releases, manufacturers refrained from aggressively pushing shipments due to excess inventory.

Brand Performance in January 2025

While most major smartphone brands reported a decline in shipments, Apple and Oppo emerged as the only two companies to register YoY growth.

Samsung: The company witnessed the steepest YoY decline of 19.5%, partly due to the fact that the Galaxy S25 series did not go on sale until February 7.

Vivo: Reported an 8.1% decline in shipments, despite holding the highest market share in India.

Realme: Noted a 5.3% drop in its shipments.

Oppo: One of the only brands to show positive growth, posting a 5.3% increase YoY.

Apple: Achieved an 11.7% YoY growth, maintaining its top-five position for the fifth consecutive month in India’s smartphone market.

Apple’s Growing Influence in the Indian Market

Apple’s continued growth in India is driven by multiple factors, including increasing local manufacturing efforts, aggressive retail expansion, and strong demand for premium smartphones. The company’s strategic push into the Indian market has enabled it to consistently secure a stronger foothold in the premium segment, with the iPhone 15 series playing a significant role in its success.

Conclusion

Despite the overall slowdown in India’s smartphone industry at the start of 2025, Apple continues to gain traction, demonstrating consistent growth and an expanding market share. While Samsung, Vivo, and Realme faced notable declines, IDC suggests that the demand trend could stabilize as brands adjust their strategies for the upcoming quarters. The industry’s performance in the following months will be crucial in determining whether the market can rebound after this initial setback.