Core Insights - The Indian smartphone market experienced a 5% year-on-year increase in shipment volume and an 18% increase in shipment value in Q3 2025, reaching a historical quarterly high, driven by pre-festival stockpiling and sustained demand for high-end models [4][5][6]. Market Dynamics - The market is transitioning towards a stable growth phase focused on value, supported by festive season stockpiling and promotional activities across online and offline channels. Key drivers include convenient installment payment plans, trade-in policies, and significant discounts [5][6]. - Retail inflation has slowed, and fiscal support has improved household liquidity, leading to a notable recovery in consumer confidence during the festive season [6]. High-End Market Performance - The high-end segment (priced above 30,000 INR, approximately 339 USD) saw a 29% year-on-year increase in shipment volume, making it the fastest-growing segment. The overall market value increased by 18%, with the average selling price (ASP) rising by 13% [9]. - Apple led the market with a 28% share of sales value, driven by strong demand for the iPhone 16 and 15 series, while the newly launched iPhone 17 series outperformed its predecessor [6][9]. Brand Performance - Vivo (excluding iQOO) captured the top market position with a 20% share, benefiting from a robust offline network and the popularity of its mid-range T series [7][9]. - Samsung followed with a 13% market share, supported by its S series and A series, along with successful promotions for its high-end Galaxy Z Fold series [6][7]. - OPPO achieved accelerated growth through a diverse product portfolio and enhanced retailer collaboration [7]. - Apple entered the top five in shipment volume for the first time in Q3 2025, making India the third-largest iPhone market globally [9]. Additional Trends - The online channel accounted for 45% of shipments during the festive season, while offline channels maintained a dominant 55% share [14]. - iQOO emerged as the fastest-growing brand with a 54% year-on-year increase in shipments, driven by a strong gaming-focused product line and community marketing efforts [14]. - Motorola's shipments grew by 53%, fueled by demand for its G series and Edge series [14].

Core Insights - The Indian smartphone market is projected to grow by 3% year-on-year in Q3 2025, with shipments reaching 48.4 million units, driven by pre-festival inventory replenishment and retail promotions [1][2] Market Performance - Vivo leads the market with a shipment of 9.7 million units, capturing a 20% market share [1] - Samsung follows with 6.8 million units shipped, holding a 14% market share [1] - Xiaomi ranks third with 6.5 million units, slightly ahead of OPPO, which has comparable shipment figures [1] - Apple returns to the top five with 4.9 million units shipped, driven by demand from lower-tier cities [1] Sales Strategies - Market momentum in Q3 is primarily driven by channel incentives rather than pure consumer demand recovery, with manufacturers reallocating marketing budgets to impactful retail incentive programs [2] - Retail incentives include cash bonuses, tiered profits, and dealer competitions offering rewards such as motorcycles and overseas trips [2] - Manufacturers have also enhanced consumer-facing promotions, including zero down payment plans and bundled sales [2] Company Strategies - Vivo's market leadership is attributed to a balanced product portfolio and strong promotional strategies, with its T series performing well online during the festive season [2] - Samsung has made progress in the mid-to-high-end market with older models and new Snapdragon-equipped S24 and S25 FE, but faces challenges in the entry-level segment [2] - OPPO's growth is driven by its F31 series and well-structured festive channel promotions [2] - Motorola achieved a record shipment of 4 million units, a 53% year-on-year increase, mainly due to the G series and Edge 60 expansion [2] - Nothing experienced a 66% growth, with its CMF Phone 2 Pro and Phone 3a as key models [2] Apple’s Market Position - Apple achieved its highest-ever shipment volume in India during Q3, with a market share of 10%, driven by demand from smaller cities and effective festive promotions [2] - The iPhone 16 and 15 series contributed significantly to shipments, alongside strong sales of the iPhone 17 standard version [2] - Apple plans to continue upgrading its Pro series and deepen its ecosystem to drive long-term value growth [2] Future Outlook - Despite a strong early performance in Q3, growth is not expected to continue into the year-end peak, with limited recovery in smartphone demand [2] - Urban consumers are delaying upgrades due to job uncertainty and cost sensitivity, leading to a potential inventory buildup in Q4 [2] - Rural market demand remains stable but insufficient to offset cautious urban sentiment, with an overall slight decline in the smartphone market anticipated for 2025 [2]

Core Insights - The Indian smartphone market is projected to grow by 3% year-on-year in Q3 2025, reaching a shipment volume of 48.4 million units, driven by pre-festival inventory replenishment and retail promotions [2][7]. Market Performance - Vivo leads the market with a shipment of 9.7 million units, capturing a 20% market share. Samsung follows with 6.8 million units and a 14% share, while Xiaomi and OPPO are nearly tied with 6.5 million units each, both holding a 13% share. Apple returns to the top five with 4.9 million units, driven by demand from lower-tier cities [2][7]. Sales Strategies - The market momentum in Q3 is primarily driven by channel incentives rather than pure consumer demand recovery. Manufacturers are reallocating marketing budgets to impactful retail incentive programs, including dealer competitions with rewards such as cash bonuses and travel [4][6]. Brand Strategies - Vivo's strong market position is attributed to a balanced product portfolio and aggressive retail strategies. Samsung is making progress in the mid-to-high-end market with new models but faces challenges in the entry-level segment. OPPO's growth is supported by targeted promotional plans centered around the F31 series [4][5]. Apple’s Performance - Apple achieved its highest-ever shipment volume in India during Q3, with a market share of 10%. Growth is fueled by demand for high-end models and effective promotional strategies, particularly in smaller cities [5]. Future Outlook - Despite a strong early performance in Q3, growth is not expected to continue into the year-end peak period. Urban consumers remain cautious due to job uncertainty and cost sensitivity, leading to delayed upgrades. The overall smartphone market is anticipated to see a slight decline in 2025, reflecting a fragile recovery sensitive to economic conditions [6].

Core Insights - The Indian smartphone market experienced a robust rebound in Q2 2025, with shipments and wholesale value increasing by 8% and 18% year-on-year, respectively, driven by a 33% increase in new product launches and effective marketing strategies during the summer promotional period [1][2] - The improvement in the macroeconomic environment, including a decrease in retail inflation to a six-year low and a reduction in the central bank's repo rate, has boosted consumer confidence and spending, creating favorable conditions for non-essential purchases [1] Market Performance - The ultra-premium segment (priced above 45,000 INR, approximately 510 USD) saw a remarkable year-on-year growth of 37%, making it the fastest-growing price segment, contributing to the highest average selling price (ASP) and value for the Indian smartphone market in Q2 [2] - Apple and Samsung capitalized on this trend through trade-in programs, zero-interest EMI options, and limited-time summer discounts, making flagship devices more accessible to consumers [2] Brand Performance - Vivo achieved a 23% year-on-year growth in Q2 2025, driven by strong demand for its Y and T series in the 10,000-15,000 INR (approximately 110-170 USD) price range, with the T series performing well in offline channels [5] - Samsung maintained its growth momentum in the mid-to-high-end segment, supported by aggressive summer promotions for its A and S series, as well as attention on its N-1 flagship model [5] - OPPO secured the third position in the market, benefiting from strong performance of its updated A5 and K series, product portfolio optimization, and enhanced retailer collaboration [5] Other Key Insights - Nothing achieved a remarkable 146% year-on-year growth in shipments, becoming the fastest-growing brand for six consecutive quarters, primarily due to the launch of the CMF Phone 2 Pro and expansion of its retail network [8] - Motorola's shipments grew by 86% year-on-year, driven by strong demand for its G and Edge series, while Lava became the fastest-growing brand in the sub-10,000 INR segment with a 156% year-on-year increase [8] - MediaTek led the Indian smartphone chip market with a 47% share, followed by Qualcomm at 31%, with both companies experiencing a year-on-year shipment growth of 28% [8] - The iPhone 16 emerged as the highest-selling model in Q2 2025, contributing to Apple's record second-quarter shipments in India [8] - OnePlus recorded a 75% year-on-year growth in the ultra-premium market, driven by the performance of its 13 and 13R series, along with positive reception for the newly launched 13s series [9]