The Q4, of 2024 brought a big milestone for Apple. Apple entered the list of top five smartphone vendors for the first time ever. According to a report from Canalys, the company witnessed 39% year-over-year growth at a time when other major brands saw declines. Even the Indian market saw total shipments decline by 4%.
Apple managed to increase its shipments from 2.9 million to 4 million and secured an 11% market share.
Oppo also saw a 12% increase in growth and shipped 4.2 million smartphones in Q4 2024 as compared to 3.7 in Q4, 2023.
Q4 2024 vs. Q4 2023 Smartphone Shipments in India
| Vendor | Q4 2024 Shipments (Million) | Market Share | Q4 2023 Shipments (Million) | Market Share | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivo | 7.5 | 20% | 7.0 | 18% | 6% |
| Xiaomi | 5.7 | 15% | 7.2 | 18% | -21% |
| Samsung | 5.4 | 15% | 7.6 | 20% | -29% |
| OPPO | 4.2 | 11% | make | 10% | 12% |
| Apple | 4.0 | 11% | 2.9 | 7% | 39% |
| Others | 10.5 | 28% | 10.5 | 27% | 0% |
Apple’s growth in India is not accidental. It is the result of a well-executed strategy that is now benefiting the company. For many Indian consumers, owning an iPhone is more than just buying a smartphone. Apple’s strong brand positioning as a premium and aspirational product has led to a steady demand. As soon as people reach financial stability, an iPhone becomes one of their first big purchases.
The company has also increased local production in India which has helped the company to lower manufacturing costs and avoid import duties. It helped the company to keep competitive pricing. Customers also get festive season sales, trade-in offers, and no-cost EMI options to make iPhones more accessible.
While Apple saw growth, Xiaomi and Samsung saw significant drops in their shipments. Xiaomi was once the dominant leader in India’s smartphone market but is now facing big competition from Vivo and OPPO. Samsung also saw a big decline even after the strong presence of its Galaxy A and M series. Increased competition from Apple and OnePlus has led to a loss in the market share of Samsung.
