Apple’s iPhone 16e Faces Tough Competition from Older Models in India
3 min read Apple’s latest budget offering, the iPhone 16e, is set to replace both the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 in its lineup. However, the new model faces stiff competition in India, where older iPhones continue to dominate sales. February 21, 2025 18:28
India: A Key Market for Apple
📈 Growing Market Share – India became Apple’s fourth-largest market in 2024, hitting 12 million shipments with a 35% YoY growth.
📱 Old Models Drive Sales – The iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 were India’s best-selling iPhones, capturing 6% of the overall smartphone market in Q4.
Decline of the iPhone SE
📉 The iPhone SE’s relevance has faded, with its share of iPhone shipments dropping from 18% in 2020 to just 6% in 2022.
❌ By 2023 and 2024, SE shipments had declined to negligible levels, per IDC data.
Why the iPhone 16e Might Struggle
🔄 Indian Consumers Prefer Older iPhones – Nearly two-thirds of iPhones sold in India are previous-generation models, says IDC’s Navkendar Singh.
💰 Price Sensitivity – Discounts on older models make them more attractive than a new entry-level iPhone.
🏭 Local Manufacturing Growth – Apple’s expansion of iPhone assembly in India may help lower prices, but adoption depends on consumer perception of value.
What’s Next?
Will the iPhone 16e carve out a space in India, or will discounted iPhone 13 and 15 models continue to dominate? Apple’s strategy in this price-sensitive market will determine the success of its latest entry-level device.
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