These Chinese mobile companies are out of the top 5, Apple's dominance still remains

According to IDC's latest report, smartphone shipments in the country dropped by 5.5% in Q1 2025, with only 32 million units shipped—down from the previous year’s figures. Notably, this decline also includes a slowdown in Chinese smartphone brands, which had previously dominated the market.

Apple Records Strongest Growth

Amid this market slump, Apple has emerged as the biggest winner. The tech giant reported a remarkable 23% year-on-year growth in its smartphone shipments, marking the highest growth among all major players. This development highlights a growing trend among Indian consumers—an increasing preference for premium smartphones. As users hold onto their devices for longer and seek better build quality and performance, Apple has successfully tapped into this shift in consumer behavior.

Xiaomi and Poco Suffer Major Setback

Once a market leader, Xiaomi has seen a sharp decline in its performance. For years, it held the top spot in India, but as of Q1 2025, Xiaomi has fallen out of the top five brands. Its sub-brand, Poco, has also struggled, with underwhelming sales and limited growth.

Realme Rises in the Rankings

While Xiaomi falters, Realme has climbed into the top five. Known for offering strong performance at affordable prices, Realme has capitalized on the mid-range market segment. Its recent launches—including the Realme 14 series, Narzo 80 series, and P3 series—have attracted a growing customer base, helping the company regain momentum.

Users Delay Phone Upgrades

One of the reasons for the overall decline in smartphone shipments is changing consumer behavior. With inflation affecting budgets and only marginal improvements in new phone technology, many users are choosing to delay upgrading their devices. As a result, the replacement cycle is getting longer.

Top 10 Smartphone Brands in India

As per the IDC report, the top 10 brands in India now include:

• Apple
• Samsung
• Vivo
• Realme
• Oppo
• Xiaomi
• Motorola
• Poco
• OnePlus
• Infinix
• While Apple’s rise marks a major shift in the Indian smartphone landscape, the market remains competitive, and brands must continue to innovate and adapt to changing consumer demands.