“The iPhone should see some growth in 2022 compared to last year. In 2021, iPhone shipments were around 4.8 million. This year, we are expecting it to be around 5.5 to 6 million,” said Navkendar Singh, Associate Vice President of Device Research, IDC India, South Asia and ANZ. Singh added that even in 2021, there is a huge jump compared to 2020 came.
According to Counterpoint Research, 2021 was the best year for Apple in India, with a record 5.4-6 million iPhone shipments and 70% of the market share. 45,000 and above segments.
“Apple is expected to exit 2022 with the highest average selling price (ASP) as well as the highest ever sales in India,” said Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint Research. Apple did not comment on the story.
While Apple still accounts for around 4% of the overall smartphone market in India, the company has benefited from a modest increase in premium phone sales in the country. Analysts said the company remains an aspirational brand for many in India, driving sales amid a “trend to premiumisation”.
“The premium market will account for 9% of the smartphone market, and that is helping Apple as well,” Pathak said.
According to IDC, in the first half of 2022, the premium segment ($500+) was the largest growing segment in India, with 83% year-on-year (YoY) growth. Apple accounted for 53% of shipments in this segment in the first half of 2022.
Unlike in overseas markets, however, it is not the latest model that can boost iPhone sales. Analysts said the iPhone 12 and 13 series will account for most of the company’s shipments in India. He attributed this to the lucrative festive season offer on him.
“Pricing—especially during the festive season—helps a lot. This year, the sales of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 in India were very high,” Singh said. The company started the festive sale in India on September 26, slashing the prices of iPhone 13. 57,990. The price of the phone had already dropped 69,900 (from 79,900) after the launch of the iPhone 14 series last month. Amazon and Flipkart are also offering cashback on the device.
Singh told that for the phone priced in the market The 50,000-60,000 range is different. While there are more options available in this range, consumers don’t mind spending a little more to get an iPhone. As a result, when prices for older iPhones drop to this range, they gain consumer interest, even if competing devices are a few thousand bucks cheaper.
Pathak also pointed out that the iPhone 12 is still relevant for users who want to enter the Apple ecosystem and own 5G devices. Similarly, the iPhone 11 is still relevant for younger users to enter the Apple ecosystem. The company’s phones usually get updates over a longer period of time than Android smartphones, which further encourages ownership of the older models.
Analysts also expect an increase in local production of iPhones this year. Sanyam Chaurasia, a technology market analyst at Canalys, said Apple is diversifying the supply chain after the pandemic, which is one reason why it has started ramping up local production capacity in India.
“Last year, Apple produced around 7.5 million iPhone units in India. This year, a significant increase in local production is expected. India is a large consumer electronics market, and Apple knows that if it can manufacture locally, it can benefit from an aggressive pricing strategy.”
On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Apple’s iPhone exports from India have exceeded $1 billion in value since April and are set to rise to $2.5 billion in the 12 months to March 2023. Apple has been making iPhones in India since 2017.
Pathak, however, pointed out that even though 75% of iPhones sold in India are locally assembled, the increase in local production of iPhones will not have a direct impact on shipments, unless the company offers to buyers as a duty savings. does not give Price cut, which is not possible at this point.
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