Apple To Log Record-High Q1 In India With Over 3 Million iPhone Shipments, IDC Estimates Reveal

This surge occurred even as the broader Indian smartphone market faced headwinds, with analysts expecting a mid-single-digit contraction in total shipments for the quarter despite promotional offers

The newly released iPhone 16 lineup, led by the more accessible iPhone 16e, emerged as a strong growth catalyst, and accounted for over half of Apple’s total shipments during the quarter.

Source : Apple

Apple is poised to break a new record in India, with its first-quarter iPhone shipments crossing the 3 million mark, according to preliminary estimates from IDC. This figure, up from 2.21 million in the same period last year, represents Apple’s best-ever Q1 performance in the country.

It also highlights India’s emergence as a critical growth market for the Cupertino-based tech major. “Surpassing 3 million units in 1Q25, Apple will record its largest first-quarter shipments in India, facilitated by affordability schemes such as No Cost EMIs, cashback, and eTailer discounts that spurred high double-digit growth,” Upasna Joshi, research manager at IDC, told Moneycontrol.

Notably,this surge occurred even as the broader Indian smartphone market faced headwinds, with analysts expecting a mid-single-digit contraction in total shipments for the quarter despite promotional offers

iPhone 16 Series Fuels Demand Amid Market Contraction

The newly released iPhone 16 lineup, led by the more accessible iPhone 16e, emerged as a strong growth catalyst, and accounted for over half of Apple’s total shipments during the quarter.

“This marks a shift from 2024 when the iPhone 15 and 13 models were dominant, especially during festive periods,” Joshi said.

While IDC’s full quarterly data is still awaited, early insights from January and February show an overall market dip of 8.1 percent year-on-year, indicating a cautious consumer sentiment.

Despite this, Apple is outperforming peers, climbing to the fourth position by market share and registering the swiftest growth among the top brands at 36.1 percent, as per IDC’s Aditya Rampal.

In contrast, major rivals Vivo and Samsung witnessed shipment declines of 2.7 percent and 19.5 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Oppo and Realme managed moderate gains of 14.3 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively. 

Long-Term Growth Strategy Anchored In India

India’s role in Apple’s global strategy is expanding rapidly. The country ranked as Apple’s fourth-largest market worldwide in 2024, trailing only the US, China, and Japan. Shipments hit a record 12 million units last year, with a 35 percent year-on-year increase. In Q4 2024, Apple broke into the top five smartphone brands in India for the first time, capturing a 10 per cent market share on the back of strong demand for the iPhone 15 and 13.

Since early 2023, Apple has consistently posted record-breaking sales in India, a trend analysts believe will persist. Joshi noted, “Apple will continue to outpace the overall smartphone market in 2025, with shipments reaching 13-14 million units.” Counterpoint Research echoed this sentiment, projecting a 10–15 per cent annual growth rate for the company this year.

To sustain this momentum, Apple is doubling down on its India investments. It is ramping up local manufacturing and expanding its retail footprint, including the planned launch of four new stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai. The company already employs more than 3,000 people in the country and has posted hundreds of job openings tied to its expanding operations.

Suppliers such as Foxconn, Pegatron, and Jabil are also scaling up to support Apple’s production needs, with AirPods manufacturing expected to begin soon at Foxconn’s new facility in Telangana. Plans are also underway to locally assemble iPads and MacBooks.

Financially, Apple India reported a 23 percent jump in net profit to Rs 2,745.7 crore for FY24. Revenue climbed 36 percent year-on-year to Rs 67,121.6 crore, with iPhone sales remaining the primary growth driver.