The Indian smartphone market experienced a 9.7% year-on-year (YoY) decline in shipments during January 2025, as per the latest report from International Data Corporation (IDC). The drop in sales was primarily driven by weak consumer demand and excess inventory from the previous year. Despite the overall market slowdown, Apple stood out with robust YoY growth, securing a top-five position in the Indian smartphone market.
Market Overview: 11.1 Million Units Shipped in January 2025
According to the IDC report, smartphone manufacturers shipped a total of 11.1 million units in January 2025, marking a notable 9.7% drop compared to January 2024. This decline followed a cyclical downturn observed in Q4 2024, where similar trends were reported. In contrast, the Indian smartphone market recorded a 4% YoY growth in total shipments during 2024.
Despite the launch of premium and mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, demand remained subdued. Smartphone makers refrained from mass shipping due to an existing inventory surplus carried over from late 2024. However, IDC stated that this temporary decline does not indicate any long-term market concerns.
Samsung Witnesses the Steepest Decline, While Apple and Oppo Grow
Among leading smartphone brands, Samsung experienced the most significant YoY drop, with shipments plunging by 19.5% in January 2025. This was attributed to the Galaxy S25 series not going on sale until February 7. Other brands also struggled, with Vivo seeing an 8.1% decline and Realme recording a 5.3% drop in shipments.
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On the other hand, Apple emerged as the strongest performer, with a YoY growth of 11.7%, making it one of the top five smartphone brands in India for the fifth consecutive month. The IDC report emphasized that Apple’s rising shipment numbers contributed significantly to its strong market positioning.
Oppo was the only other smartphone brand to register positive YoY growth, reporting a 5.3% increase in shipments. Despite these shifting trends, Vivo retained the highest market share in India, followed by Samsung, Oppo, Apple, and Realme in that order.
Apple Gains Momentum Despite Market Slowdown
While the Indian smartphone market witnessed a decline in shipments, Apple continued its upward trajectory, securing a top-five ranking with strong YoY growth. With consumer demand expected to rebound and new launches in Q2 2025, the market dynamics are likely to shift in the coming months.
