India’s smartphone market saw a modest yet promising growth of 4 per cent year-on-year in 2024, according to IDC’s latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. A total of 151 million smartphone units were shipped across the country, with a stronger first half contributing a 7 per cent surge, balancing the relatively slower 2 per cent growth in the latter half of the year.
Vivo Takes The Crown From Samsung
In a surprising shift, Vivo emerged as the largest smartphone brand in India, overtaking Samsung, which had led the market in 2023. Vivo secured a 16.64 per cent share of the market, while Samsung slipped to 13.2 per cent. This is a notable change from the previous year when Samsung dominated with a 17 per cent share and Vivo followed with 15.2 per cent.
Xiaomi and OPPO tied for the third spot, each holding 12 per cent of the market. Realme came in fifth, capturing an 11 per cent share.
Where Does Apple Stand?
Apple retained its position as the sixth-largest smartphone player in India. Its market share rose to 8.2 per cent in 2024 from 6.4 per cent in the previous year.
India emerged as Apple’s fourth-largest market globally after the US, China, and Japan, with the company shipping 12 million iPhone units last year. Notably, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 were the company’s most popular models, contributing to 6 per cent of Apple’s total shipments in the last quarter.
Key Trends, As Per IDC
The adoption of 5G smartphones witnessed a sharp rise, accounting for 79 per cent of all shipments compared to just 55 per cent in 2023. In total, 120 million 5G devices were shipped during the year. Popular models included the Redmi 13C, Vivo Y28, and Apple iPhone 15.
Both online and offline sales channels grew by 4 per cent year-on-year. Samsung maintained its dominance in online sales, while Vivo continued to lead offline transactions. Apple secured the fourth position in online sales, driven by the popularity of the iPhone 15.
The entry-level premium segment ($200 to $400) grew by 35.3 per cent, while the premium category ($600 to $800) witnessed a 34.9 per cent surge.
Despite 54 million feature phones being shipped in 2024, the segment saw an 11 per cent decline. Transsion led the category, followed by Nokia and Lava.
The report underscores a dynamic year for India’s smartphone market, with shifting brand positions and evolving consumer preferences.
