iPhone 16 is India’s highest-selling smartphone of 2025: Report

In a remarkable achievement, the Apple iPhone 16 has emerged as the highest-selling smartphone in India during the first 11 months of 2025. A recent report from Counterpoint Research reveals that Apple has successfully sold over 6.5 million units of the iPhone 16, outpacing Vivo's Y29 5G model, which recorded sales of 4.7 million units in the same timeframe. This success is particularly noteworthy given the significant price disparity between the premium iPhone 16 and its more affordable competitors. Furthermore, the iPhone 15 has also secured a place among the top five best-selling smartphones, indicating a notable shift in consumer buying trends. The data suggests that the demand for budget-friendly devices is waning, with premium smartphones increasingly favored by consumers. The uptick in iPhone sales may be attributed to a variety of factors, including attractive financing options such as easy EMI plans, credit card promotions, exchange offers, and cashback incentives. According to Tarun Pathak, the research director for consumer devices at Counterpoint, "There is a definite premiumization drive in India, and the iPhone exemplifies this transformative trend in the country's smartphone market." Additionally, the report projects that India's overall smartphone shipments are set to reach approximately 158 million units in 2025, showing a slight increase from the estimated 151 to 153 million units recorded last year. The rising popularity of Apple in India is further underscored by the company's efforts to enhance local manufacturing capabilities, thereby reducing reliance on Chinese production. In 2025, Apple also announced plans to open three new retail locations in Bangalore, Pune, and Noida, further solidifying its presence in the Indian market.