It still doesn’t make the top six list of smartphone brands in India, but Apple grew 63% year-over-year (YoY) in quarter two (Q2) 2022 in the country driven by a smaller base in Q2 2021 due to the COVID-19 second wave, according to Counterpoint Research.
The iPhone remained the top-selling brand in the ultra-premium segment (>INR 45,000 or ~ $650). Increasing “Make in India” capabilities for both local consumption as well as exports, offline push through multiple promotions and consumers’ brand preference in the >INR 50,000 segment helped Apple retain its edge in the premium segment, according to Counterpoint. The opening of its own e-store, iPhone SE 2022 and offers on other models will further drive Apple’s shipments in the coming quarters, adds the research group.
Overall, India’s smartphone shipments grew 9% YoY but fell 5% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to reach almost 37 million units in Q2 2022 (April-June), according to Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service. The YoY growth was primarily driven by a lower base in Q2 2021 due to the second COVID-19 wave. The QoQ drop was due to macroeconomic headwinds affecting consumer demand.
Counterpoint says that 5G smartphones contributed to 29% of overall shipments. Samsung led the 5G smartphone segment with a 25% share, followed by vivo and OnePlus. Three out of the top five smartphone models in Q2 2022 were from realme.
