From ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000+ – India is Buying Premium Phones In 2025
The iPhone 16 Pro Max costs approximately ₹1,69,900. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is worth around ₹1,49,900, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra which is ₹1,34,900. Then there is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra which costs around ₹1,29,900. And these are current discounted prices during the festive season. https://www.godigit.com/mobile-insurance/find/top-flagship-phones
But that doesn’t seem to deter India from splurging on smartphones because the third quarter of 2025 recorded the highest ever quarterly sales for smartphones in India. It goes to show that consumers are now opting for high end phones over budget phones.
Premium Devices leading the Surge
While the overall smartphone market grew 5% year on year in Q3 of 2025, the premium smartphone devices – only the high-end phones- saw a 29% year on year growth in the same timeframe.
This means that the average selling price has also increased with more consumers opting for premium features and experiences. Instead of opting for budget phone which was previously the trend, they don’t mind shelling out more money to get better hardware as well as software.
And brands have changed their strategies accordingly.
Who’s Driving this Premium Change?
Apple obviously leads the way. They command 28% of the market with the sales of their iPhone 16, iPhone 15 and their newly launched iPhone 17 series. Samsung are close on their heels with 23% of the market, thanks to the sales of their Galaxy S-series and foldable models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
When it comes to most devices sold, Vivo continues to lead the charts. But this mix of demands for premium devices and budget phones goes to show that premium smartphones are no longer the niche.
Why are Indians opting for Premium Now?
Considering Q3 is usually the festive season it is no surprise that people are cashing in on the discounts, EMIs and aggressive marketing strategies. There is also the belief that opting for a premium phone makes it last longer than a budget phone, as it has better performance, superior camera quality and longer software support.
Smartphones are no longer for making calls and checking messages and mails. Smartphones have now become integral to work, entertainment, content creation and social status. And this makes a premium device more attractive.
Also with faster processors, better cameras, 5G and new features like foldable screens… premium phones have features that budget phones just cannot offer.
What this means for the Industry?
The smartphone industry isn’t just growing, it is up-trading. The number of devices bought is increasing year on year but more importantly, the average amount being spent on each device is going up and this is good news for manufacturers.
Premium and flagship focused phones will double down on their launches and marketing strategies to capitalise on this rising trend. For mid-level phones, the competition has toughened. They need to be able to showcase value or are in danger of being stuck between premium phones and budget phones.
The broader industry, which includes accessories, apps, servicing and after sale activities could also see a boom in the long run.
The Last Word
Q3 of 2025 has gone a long way to show that India is no longer a budget drive smartphone market. It is evolving into a premium smartphone consumer segment. With rising incomes, easier financing and consumer aspirations shifting upwards, this trend is very likely to continue into the future. The recently concluded Black Friday weekend also continued with this trend.
As smart phones become more and more common across India, the retail market, the manufacturing industry and the consumer experience are all set to change!
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