Apple's iPhone 16 Becomes India's Best-Selling Smartphone in 2025, Beating Big Android Rivals

New Delhi: Apple's iPhone 16 has emerged as the most-sold smartphone in the country in 2025, surprising many in a market long dominated by budget Android phones. New industry figures show the iPhone 16 outsold all competitors, including popular models from Vivo.

Which phone sold the most?

According to recent data from Counterpoint Research, Apple has sold about 6.5 million units of the iPhone 16 in the country over the first 11 months of the year. That makes it the highest-selling individual phone for the year. The strong numbers stand out because the iPhone 16 is priced well above many local favourites.

Who came in second?

Trailing the iPhone, Vivo's Y29 5G was the country's second-best seller with around 4.7 million units sold in the same period. Vivo has historically done well in the country's value-focused segments, but even its top seller couldn't match Apple's volumes this year.

Why is a pricey phone outselling cheaper models?

Analysts point to a few key factors:

• Offers and finance deals: No-cost EMIs, bank cashbacks and festive promotions made premium phones more affordable for a broader set of buyers.
• Changing buyer habits: More consumers are choosing higher-end devices as flagship performance and camera quality become priorities. The iPhone 16 comes with a 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. On the rear, it houses a dual camera setup with 48 megapixel sensors, while a 12-megapixel front camera for selfies.
• Aspirational demand: Many buyers see owning an iPhone as a status marker, boosting sales beyond what pure pricing would suggest.

Has Apple done this before in India?

India's smartphone market has long been led in sheer units by Android makers. Apple has grown steadily, but the iPhone 16’s performance this year is widely seen as a milestone, marking a shift toward premium devices.