Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Apple Leads India's Smartphone Market by Value, Not Volume
Apple sells iPhones in India, but it does not sell as many phones as some other companies.
Even so, Apple leads the market when measured by the total value of phones sold.
Counterpoint Research estimates that Apple has 28% of the market by value.
The company introduced the less expensive iPhone SE in India starting in 2016.
However, the iPhone SE was still considered a premium phone.
This meant Apple did not become a mass-market phone maker.
Many Indian buyers chose older iPhone models because they cost less.
Discounts and financing plans also helped people afford them.
Counterpoint Research estimates Apple holds 28% of India’s smartphone market by value.
Apple is the market leader by value despite having a modest share of unit sales.
The iPhone SE, introduced in India from 2016, remained a premium product.
Older-generation iPhones, sold at lower prices, account for about two-thirds of Indian iPhone volumes.
Financing plans and festival-season discounts helped support sales of older iPhone models.
- Who
- Apple, with data cited from Counterpoint Research and an IDC official.
- What
- Apple’s iPhone business in India grew primarily through premium sales, especially older-generation models, giving it the largest market share by value.
- When
- The iPhone SE was introduced in India from 2016 onward; the article does not specify when the market estimates were made.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Older iPhones were available at lower prices, while financing schemes and festival discounts supported demand.
- Market leadership
- Apple leads India’s smartphone market by value.
- Value share
- Counterpoint Research estimates Apple’s share at 28% by value.
- Unit position
- Apple has a modest share of smartphone units sold.
- iPhone SE
- The iPhone SE was introduced in India from 2016 onward but remained in the premium segment.
- Older models
- About two-thirds of iPhone volumes in India come from previous-generation models, according to an IDC official cited by TechCrunch.
- Sales support
- Financing schemes and festival-season discounts helped lower the effective price of older iPhones.