iPhone 16 Is Now India's Best-Selling Smartphone

The demand for iPhones in India has grown exponentially over the past few years. With the base iPhone model getting better every generation, it is no surprise that more and more people are going the Apple way. Now, a new Counterpoint Research report has revealed that the iPhone 16 is the most sold smartphone in India in 2025.

India preferred the iPhone 16 over a sea of Androids in 2025

To achieve this feat, Apple shipped almost 6.5 million units of the iPhone 16 in the first 11 months of 2025 alone. This is a phenomenal feat considering the budget-conscious market sentiment of the Indian smartphone space.

For context, the second most sold smartphone in the country is the Vivo Y29 5G (4.7 million units), which costs Rs 13,999. The blistering sales numbers of the iPhone 16 are a clear indication that, while the majority of Indians still prefer to opt for budget Android smartphones, the clear choice in the premium space remains Apple. 

Additionally, thanks to easy credit, cash back, and other offers, the base iPhone has now become more accessible than ever. The research report has noted that the festive season in India was a key driver in boosting the sales of the iPhone 16 in the country. Even the two year old iPhone 15 managed to rank in the top five best-selling smartphones in India this year.

Tarun Pathak, the research director for consumer devices at Counterpoint, said that the success of the iPhone 16 in India is a clear indication of the market's premiumization and the ease of owning a premium smartphone in 2025.

There is a definite premiumization drive in India, and the iPhone is the poster boy for this dynamic shift in India’s smartphone market. While volume growth has been limited, buyers are coming in for more premium devices driven by the widespread availability of financing schemes.

— Tarun Pathak, research director for consumer devices at Counterpoint

Also, a major reason for this success can be attributed to the brand's continued investment in the second-largest smartphone market in the world. In 2025 alone, the country got three new official Apple Stores in Bengaluru, Pune and Noida.