New Delhi: India’s smartphone market grew 3 per cent year-on-year within the July-September interval, reaching 48.4 million models shipped, as Apple posted its highest-ever shipments within the nation in Q3, securing 10 per cent cent share, a brand new report confirmed on Tuesday.
Based on world analysis agency Omdia, distributors stuffed the channels with new shares in expectation of a high-demand festive interval. The modest progress was pushed by a wave of recent launches in July and August, retail incentivisation and an earlier festive season that pulled ahead stock flows.
“With restricted natural demand, Q3’s momentum was largely sustained by incentive-led channel push somewhat than pure shopper restoration,” stated Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Omdia.
Distributors reallocated advertising and marketing budgets to high-impact retail incentive packages that rewarded sell-through, starting from cash-per-unit bonuses to tiered margins and contest sellers with rewards corresponding to gold. cash, bikes, and worldwide journeys.
“These incentives motivated distributors and retailers to soak up greater stock forward of the festive season. On the similar time, distributors intensified consumer-facing schemes – from zero-down-payment EMIs, micro-installment plans, bundled equipment and prolonged warranties – to drive conversions,” Chaurasia added.
Vivo (excluding iQOO) prolonged its lead out there with 9.7 million models shipped, capturing a 20 per cent market share.
Samsung ranked second with 6.8 million models and a 14 p.c market share, adopted by Xiaomi in third place, narrowly overtaking OPPO (excluding OnePlus), with each distributors delivery 6.5 million. models.
Apple returned to the highest 5 with 4.9 million models, with incremental progress pushed by smaller tier cities.
“Smaller cities drove volumes by aspirational demand, aggressive festive gives and wider availability. Whereas older iPhones 16s and 15s drove main shipments below discount-led upgrades, the iPhone 17 base mannequin gained traction, supported by a robust iPhone 12-15 set up base upgrades,” stated Chaurasia.
Wanting forward, Apple will purpose for Professional-model upgrades and deepen its ecosystem to drive long-term worth, the report added.