Apple enters India’s top 5 smartphone brands as premium sales surge in 2024

Apple has made history by securing a spot among India's top five smartphone brands for the first time, driven by a surge in premium and ultra-premium device sales. According to the CyberMedia Research (CMR) India Mobile Handset Market Review Report, Apple's iPhone 15 was the best-selling smartphone of 2024, contributing to a 72% year-on-year (YoY) increase in shipments and an 11% market share in Q4 2024.

Also Read: iPhones dominate 2024’s best-selling smartphones list

India’s smartphone market saw a significant shift towards high-end devices, with the premium segment (₹25,000 – ₹50,000) growing by 36% YoY. The super-premium (₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000) and ultra-premium (₹1,00,000+) categories also saw 10% and 25% YoY growth, respectively, signaling increased demand for flagship models. Apple recorded an 82% YoY growth in the super-premium segment and a 32% rise in the ultra-premium category.

While Xiaomi (18%) led the overall market, followed by Samsung (16.9%) and Vivo (16.7%), Apple’s success highlights India’s growing appetite for high-end devices. Meanwhile, Nothing saw an 800% YoY surge, driven by the Nothing Phone 2a series, and Motorola grew 48% YoY.

In the chipset market, MediaTek dominated with 52% share, while Qualcomm led the premium category, powering nearly one-third of high-end smartphones.

With GenAI-powered devices expected in 2025, brands are likely to focus on balancing premium innovation with budget-friendly offerings.