iPhone 16 Tops India’s Smartphone Sales in 2025

Among the many budget and mid-range smartphones available in India, the Apple iPhone 16 has emerged as the highest-selling smartphone in the country in the first 11 months of 2025. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, Apple has sold over 6.5 million units of the iPhone 16 during this period.

In comparison, Vivo’s Y29 5G, one of the popular budget-friendly models, sold 4.7 million units in the same time frame. This is considered a remarkable achievement for Apple, especially because the iPhone 16 is much more expensive than the Vivo Y29 5G. Even the iPhone 15 made it to the top 5 best-selling smartphones, showing that premium phones are gaining popularity among Indian consumers.

The report suggests that this trend indicates a shift in consumer preference. The era of budget-only phones is slowly fading, as more buyers are now willing to invest in high-end smartphones. One reason for this shift could be the availability of easy financing options, such as EMIs, credit card offers, exchange deals, and cashbacks, which make premium phones more accessible.

Counterpoint also highlighted that India’s smartphone shipments are expected to reach 158 million units in 2025, slightly higher than the estimated 151–153 million units shipped last year. This growth shows that while budget phones still have a place, premium smartphones are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for Indian buyers.