Samsung Loses Ground in India’s Booming Smartphone Market as Chinese Rivals, Apple Gain Momentum

Market Share Shifts in India’s Smartphone Sector

Samsung’s smartphone sales have reportedly slowed in India despite the company achieving its highest profit in three years globally, according to market analysis. Sources indicate the South Korean tech giant’s market share dropped further in the third quarter of this year, allowing Chinese competitors to strengthen their position while Apple experienced what analysts describe as “explosive growth” in the region.

Market Share Shifts in India’s Smartphone Sector
Vivo Emerges as Market Leader
Samsung’s Mixed Performance Across Segments
Chinese Manufacturers Dominate Mid-Tier
Apple’s Remarkable Growth Trajectory
Broader Market Implications

Vivo Emerges as Market Leader

According to reports from research firm Omdia, Vivo secured the top position in India’s smartphone market with a remarkable 20% market share. The Chinese manufacturer reportedly shipped 9.7 million smartphones, representing an impressive 19% growth compared to the previous year. These figures exclude Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO, which sources indicate has also demonstrated strong performance over recent years.

Samsung’s Mixed Performance Across Segments

The report states that Samsung experienced contrasting fortunes across different price segments. While the company’s sales in the mid-premium segment reportedly improved with devices like the Snapdragon variant of the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S25 FE, its entry-level phones suffered significant sales declines. Analysts suggest this discrepancy likely stems from Samsung’s budget offerings failing to match the specifications offered by competing devices in the same price range.

Chinese Manufacturers Dominate Mid-Tier

Xiaomi ranked third with shipments of 6.5 million phones, though its sales reportedly declined 19% compared to last year. OPPO shipped approximately the same number of devices but was narrowly beaten by Xiaomi, securing fourth position in the market rankings. The consistent performance of Chinese manufacturers in India’s highly competitive smartphone space demonstrates their stronghold on the mid-range segment.

Apple’s Remarkable Growth Trajectory

Apple, which ranked fifth in overall market share, reportedly shipped 4.9 million iPhones and secured 10% of the Indian smartphone market. According to the analysis, this impressive performance was driven by a 47% increase in sales, largely attributed to the launch of the iPhone 17 series with its improved hardware specifications. The substantial growth suggests Apple is successfully expanding its footprint in a market traditionally dominated by more affordable Android devices.

Broader Market Implications

The shifting dynamics in India’s smartphone market highlight the intensifying competition between global and Chinese manufacturers. While Samsung maintains significant brand recognition and presence, the report suggests the company faces mounting pressure from both directions—premium competitors like Apple and value-focused Chinese brands. Market watchers indicate that Samsung’s strategy of focusing on higher-margin devices may be paying off globally but appears to be costing the company market share in India’s volume-driven segments.

Industry observers suggest that the upcoming festive season could provide opportunities for market repositioning, though the current trends indicate a potentially permanent restructuring of the competitive landscape in one of the world’s largest smartphone markets.