India’s smartphone market recorded an 8% year-on-year (YoY) growth in the second quarter of 2025, propelled by surging demand for affordable 5G smartphones and a notable rise in premium device sales, according to CyberMedia Research’s (CMR) latest India Mobile Handset Market Review.
5G Smartphones Dominate Market
5G-enabled devices accounted for 87% of total smartphone shipments during the quarter, marking a significant 20% YoY increase. The standout growth came from the ₹8,000–₹10,000 price band, which witnessed an extraordinary 600% surge—reflecting a strong consumer appetite for budget-friendly 5G options.
Market Leaders: Vivo, Samsung, and Oppo
Vivo retained its leadership position in the overall smartphone market with a 19% share, followed by Samsung (16%) and Oppo (13.4%). Vivo also led in the 5G segment, with models such as the Vivo T4X and Y39 comprising nearly half of its 5G shipments.
Samsung maintained its momentum, supported by an impressive 90% jump in ultra-premium smartphone sales. Oppo posted a 42% YoY growth, driven by the refreshed A3X and F29 series.
Super-Premium Segment Sees Robust Growth
The ₹50,000+ segment expanded by 35% YoY, led by Apple and Samsung. Apple’s share in this category jumped 54%, fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 16e, lifting its overall market share to 7%.
Conversely, OnePlus experienced a 21% decline in the premium segment, although its Nord series continued to play a key role in overall shipments.
Affordable 5G Reshaping Market Dynamics
Xiaomi and Realme played pivotal roles in expanding affordable 5G access. However, Xiaomi faced the sharpest decline among top players, with a 25% YoY drop in overall shipments.
Motorola and Nothing emerged as high-growth brands. Motorola posted an 81% YoY increase, thanks to improved channel reach and stronger brand positioning. Nothing recorded a 190% spike, driven by the CMF Phone 2 Pro, albeit from a smaller base.
Feature Phone Shipments Decline Further
The feature phone segment continued its decline, falling 18% YoY. Shipments of 2G feature phones dropped 15%, while 4G feature phones declined by 31%. Despite a 27% drop, Itel remained the segment leader, while Lava gained traction with 17% growth.
Chipset Market: MediaTek Leads, Qualcomm Strong in Premium
MediaTek maintained its dominance in the overall chipset market with a 46% share. In the premium smartphone category (above ₹25,000), Qualcomm led with a 35% share, underscoring its strength in higher-end devices.
Outlook: Festive Season to Drive Momentum
CMR forecasts single-digit growth for the Indian smartphone market in calendar year 2025. The upcoming festive season and an influx of flagship launches are expected to invigorate consumer demand.
“While awareness of AI-led features is growing, they remain peripheral in purchase decisions. Consumers continue to prioritize core smartphone attributes such as battery life, camera quality, and overall performance,” said Pankaj Jadli, Analyst at CMR.
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