Apple’s iPhone 15 Accounts for Half of Its Smartphone Shipments in India
iPhone 15 Sees Remarkable Success in India
Apple’s iPhone 15 series has been a major contributor to the company’s Q4 smartphone shipments in India, accounting for over half of its nearly 2.8 million units sold in the country, according to Canalys’ quarterly report.
The success of the iPhone 15 in India can be attributed to Apple’s efforts to push the latest models during the festive sales period, which took place across online and offline channels in the country. The festival of lights, Diwali, is a significant event in India, celebrated by its large population in the last quarter of the year. Apple seized this opportunity to offer discounts and promotions that attracted customers.
Diwali Boosts iPhone Sales
While Diwali typically falls in October, it occurred in November last year due to the Hindu calendar’s timing. This allowed Apple to capitalize on the festive season by launching the iPhone 15 during the sales period. According to Sanyam Chaurasia, senior analyst at Canalys, this strategic move contributed significantly to the success of the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 series was introduced with several notable changes from its predecessors, including a USB-C port and a capsule-shaped Dynamic Island on all models. These design-level improvements have been well-received by new and existing customers in India, where Android dominates with over 95% market share.
Easy Financing and Retail Presence Key Factors
In addition to the design updates, several other factors contributed to the iPhone 15’s success in India. Easy financing options, a more favorable consumer environment, and Apple’s increasing retail presence made the latest models more appealing to Indian customers than any of its previous generations, Chaurasia noted.
Local Assembly Benefits Apple
For the first time, the initial batch of iPhones sold in India was locally assembled, as Apple continues to expand its manufacturing footprint in the country. This decision is expected to benefit Apple’s supply chain and reduce costs associated with shipping from other regions.
Apple Still Lags Behind Android Players
While the iPhone 15 has been a major success story for Apple in India, the company still lags behind Android players like Samsung and Xiaomi. In Q4, these two companies emerged as the leading smartphone vendors in India, with shares of 21% and 17%, respectively.
Vivo Takes Second Spot, But Apple Closes Gap
However, Vivo secured the second position after Samsung in full-year shipments, with a 3% annual growth by shipping 26.1 million units in 2023. This helped it capture an 18% market share, just 1% less than Samsung’s 19%. Meanwhile, Apple saw its quarterly shipments grow close to 32% quarter-on-quarter in Q4.
High Pricing Hinders Apple Growth
One of the key reasons Apple has not yet become a leading smartphone vendor in India is due to the high pricing of iPhones. Indian customers tend to prefer more affordable Android options, which limits Apple’s growth potential in the market.
Conclusion
The success of the iPhone 15 in India demonstrates Apple’s growing presence and popularity in the country. As the company continues to expand its retail footprint and offer more competitive pricing, it is likely that Apple will gain further traction in the Indian smartphone market.
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