Executive Summary

Apple has experienced meaningful growth in ⁤both the Indian and⁤ global ‍smartphone markets. ⁢ The ⁢company⁤ regained ‍the ⁣top spot worldwide, achieving a 66% market share in the latest quarter, surpassing Samsung’s 31%. ⁣This success is driven by strong performance in the premium segment and a strategic focus on affordability in India, where Apple’s⁢ market ⁤share ‍reached a record 10.4%.

Apple’s Rise in⁣ the Indian Market

Apple’s market share in India ⁢reached 10.4%‍ in the third quarter of 2025 (July-September), marking a considerable 25.6% year-over-year growth,according⁢ to data from the International Data ⁢Corporation (IDC) ‍ IDC. this growth propelled Apple to secure the fourth position in the Indian smartphone market for the first⁢ time.

IDC projects⁣ Apple will ship 15 million units in India for the entirety of 2025, representing strong double-digit growth IDC. This positive trajectory contrasts with ‍the overall Indian smartphone market, which is anticipated to experience‍ a low single-digit annual decline⁣ in 2025 IDC.

Affordability and Strategic Pricing

A key driver of Apple’s success in India is⁤ its multi-year strategy focused on affordability.This includes significant ⁢price reductions on older‍ iPhone models (n-1/n-2 generations) ⁣during festive sales events on e-commerce platforms,coupled with attractive no-cost EMI (Equated⁣ Monthly⁤ installment) plans and trade-in offers. As Upasana Joshi, Research ‍Manager at IDC india, notes, this approach, combined with Apple’s brand appeal, has enabled the company⁤ to capture a 10% market share in just two years.

Premium Segment Dominance

Apple’s‍ gains are especially ⁤pronounced in the premium and super-premium smartphone segments.The premium⁢ segment (likely $600+) in India grew⁣ by ⁢43.3% year-over-year in Q3 2025, ⁢increasing its market share⁢ from 4% to 6% IDC. The super-premium segment ($800 and above) ‍experienced even more‍ substantial growth,at 52.9% year-over-year, with its share rising from 6% ⁣to 8% IDC.

The⁢ iPhone 16, ‍iPhone 15, and ⁤iPhone 17 collectively accounted for over 70% of shipments in the premium ⁢segment.

Top Performing models

The iPhone 16 was the most-shipped smartphone in India during the quarter, contributing 5% of total market shipments.⁣ The newly launched iPhone⁤ 17 series⁤ and iPhone Air also performed exceptionally well, accounting for 16% of Apple’s Q3 shipments – ⁤marking the strongest launch-quarter performance for any iPhone as 2021 IDC.

Global Market Leadership

According to the‍ Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Apple surpassed Samsung to⁣ reclaim the top ⁢position in the global smartphone market, achieving a 66% market share compared to samsung’s ⁣31% ⁤ IDC.Key models driving this growth‍ included the iPhone 16, iPhone ‍16 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z⁢ Fold7, and Galaxy S25 Ultra.