India’s smartphone market grew 7 per cent year-on-year in Q2 2025 following a cautious first quarter, as easing inventory issues and new product launches drove demand, Canalys research showed.

Shipments reached 39 million units during the quarter, with Vivo leading the market at 8.1 million units and a 21 per cent market share. Samsung followed with 6.2 million units and a 16 per cent share, driven by financing offers on its A-series handsets. Oppo rose to third with 5 million units, edging out Xiaomi, which also shipped 5 million but declined 25 per cent. Meanwhile, Realme rounded out the top five with 3.6 million units, down 17 per cent.

“Vivo’s new launches were widely embraced by channels, driven by strong partnerships, while rivals maintained a more measured approach in Q2,” noted Sanyam Chaurasia, principal analyst at Canalys.

Chaurasia also highlighted rising competition beyond the top five, with Apple taking sixth place. The iPhone 16 series led more than half of its shipments, though the 16e model lost momentum due to consumer concerns over its limited camera and Apple Intelligence features.

The market’s growth was largely driven by a wave of new product launches in Q2 following a restrained first quarter where vendors scaled back shipments amid high inventory levels. The recovery took place despite a slow seasonal period and external pressures including extreme weather, US tariff tensions and wider geopolitical uncertainty.

Looking ahead, Canalys expects India’s smartphone market to rely heavily on channel execution amid weak organic demand in the second half of 2025. Incentive schemes, retail upgrades and financing options, particularly for mid to high-end models, are expected to drive sales through the country’s upcoming festive season. While these efforts may improve short-term sales, Chaurasia forecasted a modest decline through 2025 due to persistent structural challenges.