India’s smartphone market is buzzing again, and guess which phone has taken the top spot? It’s the iPhone 16. Yes, despite being one of the pricier options out there, the iPhone 16 turned out to be the most-shipped smartphone in India in the second quarter of 2025, according to a new report by Counterpoint Research.
That’s not all. The report says that the Indian smartphone market saw a strong comeback this year. Compared to last year, overall smartphone sales went up by 8%, and the total money spent on phones jumped by 18%, reaching its highest-ever value for the April–June quarter.
So what caused this boost? A few things. For one, more new phones were launched—33% more than the same time last year. There were also bigger summer sales, deeper discounts, easier EMI options, and trade-in offers, especially in the mid and premium ranges. Brands clearly worked hard to grab people’s attention, and it paid off.
The iPhone 16’s popularity is a clear sign that many Indian buyers are now willing to spend more on premium phones. Apple’s offers like no-cost EMIs and exchange programs made it a bit easier for people to afford high-end devices.
In terms of brands, vivo sold the highest number of phones, mostly in the budget and mid-range categories. But when it comes to total money made, Samsung led the pack, thanks to its higher-priced models and popular offers on its Galaxy A and S series.
Some other brands also saw big growth. For example, Motorola and Lava made strong comebacks, especially in smaller cities and budget-friendly categories. And Nothing, a relatively new brand, continued to grow fast with its CMF Phone 2 Pro and a wider retail network.
Another interesting trend is the rise in demand for premium smartphones (priced over ₹45,000). That segment grew faster than any other, especially because of brands like Apple, Samsung, and even OnePlus.
In short, Indian smartphone buyers are now more open to exploring premium phones, and with better financing options and offers, phones like the iPhone 16 are finding more takers than ever before.
So yes, the iPhone 16 is officially India’s favorite smartphone right now, showing that people are ready to spend more—as long as the phone feels worth it.
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