Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Apple’s India business is accelerating across categories, with the company reporting double-digit growth in iPhone, iPad and Mac during its latest quarter. Highlighting the momentum, CEO Tim Cook told analysts during the company’s earnings call that he is “over the moon excited about India,” indicating the market’s growing importance even as global demand conditions remain uneven.The company is seeing traction not just in smartphones but also across its broader computing portfolio. The recently launched MacBook Neo has contributed to growth in Mac sales, helping Apple deepen its presence across both consumer and professional segments. Apple has also reported sustained demand across iPad and iPhone categories, reflecting a more balanced growth profile.
Cook underlined the scale of the opportunity, noting that India is “the second largest smartphone market in the world and the third largest PC market,” while emphasising that Apple still holds a relatively modest share despite recent gains.Industry analysts say this combination of strong demand and low penetration is supporting Apple’s current growth trajectory. “Apple’s advantage in India continues to be its relatively low base, which allows it to grow faster than the overall market,” said Navkendar Singh, associate vice president at IDC India. He added that pressure in the premium segment and a broader market slowdown could weigh on momentum going forward.Growth is being driven largely by first-time buyers across categories, particularly the iPhone, as Apple continues to expand its installed base in the country. Analysts noted that demand for the latest iPhone line-up remains robust, with supply constraints rather than weak consumer interest, limiting shipments in recent months.“The iPhone 17 has been a critical part as Apple made it as close to the Pro models, which has enhanced its appeal to buyer,” Singh said.Tablets are also contributing to overall performance, with iPad sales benefiting from a recovery in the broader tablet market and rising demand across segments.According to Shilpi Jain, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, next phase of growth is expected to come from deeper penetration. She said there remains significant headroom in tier-3 and tier-4 cities, where Apple is expanding through financing options and retail outreach.Singh said Apple could reach a share of 13–15% over next few years. Jain added that as installed base expands, replacement demand is beginning to play a larger role, supported by strong stickiness that encourages users to stay within Apple’s ecosystem.
