Apple’s flagship store in Mumbai highlights its retail growth strategy in India.
Introduction Apple India success story
Global tech giant Apple Inc has achieved a historic milestone in the Indian market, registering record sales of $9 billion (about Rs 75,000 crore) in the financial year 2024-25. Also, this figure represents a significant increase of 13% over the previous year. But when the company had earned revenue of $8 billion. So this achievement has come at a time when Apple is facing stagnation in mobile device sales globally but is grappling with geopolitical uncertainties in traditional markets like China. Also, this unprecedented growth in India is a direct result of Apple’s strategic initiatives, especially retail expansion and strengthening local manufacturing. So that also reflects the growing interest in premium products among Indian consumers. Which Apple CEO Tim Cook has consistently acknowledged India as one of the company’s fastest growing markets.
Retail expansion and brand presence
Apple has significantly expanded its retail presence in India. Which has also contributed significantly to the company’s record sales. Recently, Apple has launched two new official stores in Hebbal, Bengaluru and Koregaon Park, Pune. But this has increased the total number of the company’s official stores in the country to four. Also, earlier Apple opened its premium stores in BKC, Mumbai and Saket, Delhi. The company plans to open another store in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi and Mumbai early next year. Also, apart from these physical stores, Apple launched its online store in 2020 and which allowed Indian customers to buy products directly from the company. This online access has greatly increased the accessibility of Apple products to consumers living in remote corners of the country.
Local manufacturing and supply chain expansion
India has acquired an important place in Apple’s global manufacturing strategy. But one in every five iPhones is now being manufactured in India. And the company plans to use India as a major source of US-bound devices. Apple is expanding iPhone production in India through five factories, including two recently opened new plants, as Bloomberg News previously reported. The manufacturing push is part of Apple’s strategy to reduce its reliance on China, where geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain risks have prompted the company to diversify its manufacturing base. The Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and production-linked incentives (PLI) schemes have also provided a favourable environment for Apple to expand its manufacturing operations in the country.
Status Symbol and Increasing Purchasing Power
There are several factors behind the growing popularity of Apple products, especially the iPhone, among Indian consumers. According to Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research, many Indians see the iPhone as a status symbol and currently hold about 7% of the country’s smartphone market. Rising income levels and an expanding middle class have fuelled demand for premium electronic devices. The demand for Apple products is not limited to iPhones. The demand for MacBook computers has also seen significant growth. This has contributed significantly to the company’s overall revenue. India’s young population, which is more receptive to technology and is brand-conscious, has emerged as a primary customer base for Apple.
Pricing strategy and promotional campaigns
Apple products are significantly more expensive than global prices due to high import duties and taxes in India. For example, Apple maintains the price of the entry-level iPhone 16 model in India at Rs 79,900 ($906.39) and in the US it is priced at $799. Apple has adopted various strategies to reduce these high prices. These measures have been helpful in making Apple products more accessible to Indian customers. And especially in segments that are price-sensitive but want premium brand ownership. Targeted promotions during festive seasons and special events have also contributed to sales growth.
Launch date and availability
Apple India success has officially announced that it will launch the iPhone 17 series at its Awe-Dropping event on September 9, 2025. The event will be held at Apple Park Cupertino and will be live streamed worldwide. The event will start at 10:30 PM (PT: 10:00 AM) Indian time. Live streaming will be available on Apple’s official website and YouTube channel. Also, pre-booking for the iPhone 17 series will start from September 12, and actual sales will start worldwide from September 19. But with this launch, Apple aims to strengthen its position in the global market, including India, especially just before the festive season, which the Indian market considers to be the most important period for sales.
Expected pricing in India
The prices of the iPhone 17 series have been speculated in various reports. Also in India, the expected price ranges are. Like iPhone 17: 79,990 iPhone 17 Air: around Rs 99,990 and iPhone 17 Pro: starting at Rs 1,24,990 as well as iPhone 17 Pro Max: between Rs 1,59,990 to Rs 1,64,990 But these prices are slightly higher than the current iPhone 16 models. Which reflects factors such as increase in global manufacturing costs and US tariffs. However, some reports suggest that Apple may maintain the base model price at $799 in markets like the US. But prices of higher-end models may increase. It is also important to note that the recent changes in the GST structure in India will not have any direct impact on the prices of the iPhone 17 series as the 18% GST rate on smartphones will remain unchanged
Market Share and Growth Indicators
Apple’s performance has been remarkable compared to other smartphone brands. Also, according to recent data from International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple’s shipments grew by 21.5% to reach 5.9 million units in the first half of 2025. But this growth is much higher than the modest 0.9% growth of the overall Indian smartphone market, which shipped 70 million units in the same period. Remarkably, the iPhone 16 became the most shipped individual smartphone model in the country, accounting for 4% of all smartphones shipped in the country, a significant achievement, especially in a market where consumers have traditionally been price-sensitive and Chinese brands have historically dominated.
3 Premium Segment Performance
Apple’s success is primarily driven by its strong presence in the premium segment. According to the IDC report, the premium smartphone segment (₹52,000-₹70,000 price range) recorded an astounding growth of 96.4% with market share increasing from 2% to 4% and iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 together contributed over 60% of shipments in this segment. The super-premium segment (₹70,000 and above) also saw a healthy growth of 15.8%, although its overall market share remained unchanged at 7%. Samsung secured the leadership position in this category with 49% market share while Apple followed closely with 48% share. Samsung’s Galaxy S25/S24 Ultra and Apple’s iPhone 16/16 Plus were the key models in this segment.
Competitive comparison Apple India success
Vivo remained the leading brand in the Indian smartphone market for the sixth consecutive quarter but achieved 19% market share and recorded 23.5% YoY shipment growth. Samsung stood second with 14.5% market share but achieved 21% YoY growth driven by new model launches in the Galaxy A/M/F series that introduced AI features in mid-range phones. Also, Chinese brands such as OnePlus, Poco, Xiaomi, and Realme faced a decline in shipments, with OnePlus seeing a significant decline of 39.4% in shipments. And this contrast highlights Apple’s brand strength and its successful strategy in the Indian market.
Barriers and Limitations Apple success
Despite Apple’s impressive growth in India, the company faces several challenges. One of the most prominent issues is the high tax structure which makes Apple products significantly more expensive than international prices. For instance, retailers price the entry-level iPhone 16 model in India at Rs 79,900 ($906.39), while they offer it in the US for $799. This price difference remains a significant barrier for many potential customers. Another challenge is the growing competition from domestic and Chinese competitors, which are offering similar features at lower prices. But brands like Nothing and iQOO have emerged with impressive growth rates of 84.9% and 68.4% respectively.
Future prospects and strategies Apple India success
Apple has ambitious plans for its future in India. Retail expansion is expected to continue, but with new stores planned in Noida and Mumbai early next year. There are also plans to further expand manufacturing capabilities. Reports indicate that manufacturers are making one in every five iPhones in India, and Apple expects its strategic decision to reorganize India as a separate sales region to further increase focus on the market. And in 2023, Apple reshuffled the management of its international businesses to make India its own sales region due to the growth potential. This move enables the company to become more responsive to local market conditions and tailor products and marketing strategies to specific needs.
Apple India success
Apple achieving the $9 billion sales milestone in India is more than just a significant achievement for the company. It also reflects a profound shift in the Indian economy and consumer landscape. A country that was historically known as a price-sensitive market is now emerging as a major growth engine for the world’s most valuable brand. The upcoming launch of the iPhone 17 series, which includes four new models, provides an opportunity for Apple to build on this momentum. Expected price in India With e points ranging from Rs 79,990 for the iPhone 17 to Rs 1,64,990 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max – Apple clearly intends to continue focusing on the premium segment.
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