The year 2025 marked a watershed for India’s smartphone industry, where affordable 5G models shattered records with over 1,900% shipment growth year-over-year. Aggressive pricing, abundant entry-level 5G chips, and expansive 5G network deployment fueled this revolution, bringing ultra-fast internet to the masses.
Observers noted the market’s pivot: explosive gains in low-cost 5G, particularly Rs 6,000-8,000 devices, alongside unwavering premium demand. 5G’s share hit 88% of all shipments, up 12% from last year, embedding it as an indispensable feature across price points.
Apple surged 25% to 9% market share, with the standard iPhone 16 driving 47% of series volume—evidence of value-seeking amid premium allure.
‘2025 wasn’t about contraction; it was about realignment,’ affirmed an expert. Subdued overall sales belied vibrant undercurrents: budget 5G fervor, luxury steadiness, and rising challengers.
Screen sizes swelled, with 80% at 6.7 inches or larger, mirroring entertainment-focused preferences. MediaTek topped chipsets at 45%, Qualcomm premium at 34%.
For 2026, cost pressures from components and memory may temper spending, fostering deliberate purchases. Users are holding devices longer, upgrading solely for compelling value—a sign of market maturity and consumer empowerment.