Apple Ranked Sixth in India's Growing Smartphone Market [Canalys]

Apple landed in sixth place in India's smartphone market for the second quarter of 2025, according to a new report from Canalys. While the country's overall market bounced back with 7% growth, shipping 39 million units, Apple found itself trailing several key competitors, including market leader vivo, which grew an impressive 31%.

The iPhone 16 family made up over 55% of Apple's shipments—highlighting how quickly users are upgrading to the new flagships—even as the iPhone 16e underperformed. Canalys says many buyers felt the 16e's single camera wasn't worth the price, and its Apple Intelligence features haven't delivered much yet. With its more advanced Siri capabilities now pushed to 2026, the 16e may be a tough sell for some.




This mixed performance on the sales floor comes at a critical time, as Apple is increasingly betting on India as a manufacturing powerhouse to sidestep U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. The company is scrambling to build a production hub outside of China, aiming to have most iPhones sold in the U.S. made in India by late 2026. That push is already visible, with iPhone exports from the country more than doubling in April.

While Apple works on its production strategy, competitors aren't standing still. Brands like vivo and Nothing are gaining ground with aggressive retail campaigns and standout designs that appeal to Indian buyers. vivo took the top spot with 21% of the market, followed by Samsung, OPPO, and Xiaomi. Canalys notes the upcoming festive season will be a major test, with brands rolling out high-value rewards—from foreign trips to cars—to drive sales during Diwali and beyond.

More details in the full report linked below...

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