Forget volume—2025 was the year India’s smartphone market truly shone in value terms, climbing 8% amid just 1% unit growth. Consumers voted with their wallets for luxury handsets, reshaping the competitive landscape.
Market trackers revealed premium models now constitute 20% of shipments, a testament to rising aspirations. Apple seized 28% value share, its best ever, propelled by the blockbuster iPhone 16 as the year’s most shipped device.
Vivo led volumes at 20% (sans iQOO), with Samsung close behind, excelling across budget and flagship tiers. The Galaxy S lineup achieved unprecedented penetration in Samsung’s shipments, thanks to premium demand.
Growth stars included Motorola, up 54% in volume, and CMF sub-brand, skyrocketing 83%. These gains highlight niche players disrupting giants.
Experts point to economic resilience—steady GDP, tamed inflation, and lower interest rates—as enablers. Manufacturers responded with camera innovations, portrait excellence, and EMI schemes that lowered entry barriers to flagships.
Market dynamics flipped mid-year: Early stock pileups slowed sales, but fresh launches and Diwali fervor ignited Q3 records. The ₹30,000+ segment exploded 11% YoY, hitting 22% market share, a historic peak.
As India cements its status as the world’s second-largest smartphone arena, 2025’s premium pivot forecasts intensified rivalry and innovation ahead.