Apple’s iPhone is gaining ground fast in India, shipping about 14 million units in 2025, based on market data shared exclusively with TechCrunch.
Yet the country’s overall smartphone market stayed largely flat at around 152–153 million devices. That means that across the full-year of 2025, Apple’s market share of shipments rose to a record 9%. This is up from 7% in 2024, Counterpoint Research data shows, making it the iPhone’s strongest year yet in the world’s second-largest smartphone market by volume.
The gains were driven by the iPhone’s product portfolio, growing aspirational demand and wider availability across sales channels, Counterpoint Research’s director for devices and ecosystems, Tarun Pathak, said.
Apple has repeatedly pointed to India as a standout market in recent quarters, with CEO Tim Cook saying the company set an “all-time revenue record in India” on its last earnings call in October. CFO Kevan Parekh also said iPhone’s active install base hit an all-time high in India and the company set a quarterly record for upgraders, highlighting Apple’s push to expand its user base beyond just new buyers, though the company did not disclose detailed figures for India on the call.
Apple is also sharpening its services pitch in India. Earlier this month, it introduced Apple Creator Studio — a subscription bundle of creative apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro — priced at ₹399 a month ($4.35) in India. That’s around 66% cheaper than the $12.99 a month it charges in the U.S., underscoring how the company is tailoring pricing to deepen its reach in the country.
That strong iPhone year came against a market that has largely stopped growing. India is set to log its fourth straight year at about the same shipment level of 152 million units, Counterpoint estimates, with the October–December quarter down 8–10% year-over-year despite the festive season.
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Longer replacement cycles, fewer feature phone users upgrading to smartphones, and the growing popularity of refurbished devices are among the key reasons the market has struggled to grow, Pathak told TechCrunch.
Even as overall shipments stagnated, India’s premium segment continued to expand. Smartphones priced above ₹30,000 (around $327) grew 15% year-over-year in 2025 and accounted for a record 23% of total shipments — the highest share ever — according to Counterpoint.
That shift has helped brands with stronger premium portfolios, including Apple, gain ground even as the mass market slowed.
By volume, China’s Vivo led India’s smartphone market in 2025 with a 23% share of shipments, per Counterpoint, followed by Samsung at 15% and Xiaomi at 13%.
Apple remained outside India’s top three by shipments despite its record year, underlining how the market is still dominated by mass-market Android brands even as premium devices take a growing share.
Counterpoint expects India’s smartphone market to slip about 2% in 2026, warning that rising memory prices could squeeze demand in the sub-₹15,000 (under-$170) segment and force phone makers to cut cashback offers, trim specifications or raise prices. Even so, average selling prices are forecast to rise 5% in 2026 after a 9% increase in 2025, suggesting the premiumization trend is set to continue.
The OriginOS 6 preview is currently available only on the Vivo X200 Pro and the iQOO 13.
We have compiled a list of all Samsung, Vivo, iQOO, OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme smartphones for the official rollout of OneUI 8, OriginOS 6, and ColorOS 16, respectively.
Here’s the rollout schedule of OriginOS 6 for all eligible Vivo and iQOO devices.
If you are an Android user but with a non-Pixel smartphone, then you must be eagerly waiting for the Android 16 update. Samsung has started the rollout of OneUI 8 for its Galaxy devices, while Vivo has also announced its new OriginOS 6, which replaces Funtouch OS globally. OPPO is also gearing up to release ColorOS 16 next week, which will eventually roll out to OnePlus and Realme devices.
We have compiled a list of all Samsung, Vivo, iQOO, OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme smartphones for the official rollout of OneUI 8, OriginOS 6, and ColorOS 16, respectively. Let’s have a look.
OriginOS 6 Rollout Schedule for Vivo and iQOO Phones
Vivo is replacing its FuntouchOS with OriginOS globally for its Vivo and iQOO smartphones. The company aims to deliver an AI-first software experience with its new OS, with better productivity features, smoother visuals, and stability. The first update is named OriginOS 6, based on Android 16. Existing phones will be migrated from Funtouch OS to OriginOS via OTA.
Here’s the rollout schedule of OriginOS 6 for all eligible Vivo and iQOO devices:
Month
Devices
November 2025
Vivo X Fold 5, X200 Ultra, X200 Pro, X200 Pro mini, X200s, X200; iQOO 13, Neo 10 Pro+, Neo 10 Pro, Neo 10
Vivo X Fold 2, X90 Pro+, X90 Pro, X90s, X90, S30 Pro mini, S30; iQOO 11 Pro, 11s, 11, Z10 Turbo Pro, Z10 Turbo
February 2026
Vivo X Flip, S20 Pro, S20; iQOO Neo 8 Pro, Neo 8, Z9 Turbo, Z9 Turbo Long Battery Life Edition, Z9
March 2026
Vivo X Fold+, S19 Pro, S19, Pad 5 Pro, Pad 5, Pad 5e, Pad 3 Pro, Pad 3; iQOO 10 Pro, 10, Pad 5 Pro, Pad 5, Pad 5e, Pad 2 Pro, Pad 2
April 2026
Vivo S18 Pro, S18, S18e, Y500; iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition, Neo 7, Neo 7 SE
May 2026
Vivo 300 GT, Y300 Pro+, Y300, Y300c, Y300t, Y300+
How to install OriginOS 6 Preview
Follow these steps to get early access to OriginOS 6 ahead of the official stable release:
1. Go to the Settings app > System Update.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu and select Version Trial.
3. Tap on Closed Beta Sign up. Fill the registration form with the necessary details.
4. If you are shortlisted, you will receive a message from Vivo or iQOO about installing the preview.
The OriginOS 6 preview is currently available only on the Vivo X200 Pro and the iQOO 13. The company has not disclosed any plans to include more devices in the beta testing.
Top New Features in OriginOS 6
OriginOS 6 is based on Android 16 for all devices. Here are the top features in Vivo’s new interface:
New design inspired by Liquid Glass of iOS 26.
Smoother animations powered by the River Smooth Engine.
Circle to Search 2.0 and Gemini Live integration.
Redesigned app icons with circular shape and progressive blur in the UI.
Improved support for interactive notifications, similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island.
ColorOS 16 Rollout Schedule
OPPO has already announced its new ColorOS 16 update, which will soon debut in India and global markets with the Find X9 Series. It will bring a new set of AI-powered photography features with advanced editing capabilities. The upcoming OxygenOS 16 and Realme UI 7.0 will also be based on ColorOS 16.
Here’s the rollout schedule of ColorOS 16 for OPPO devices:
OPPO Find X5 Pro, Find X5, Reno12 Pro+, Reno12 Pro, Reno12, Reno11 Pro+, Reno11 Pro, Reno11, Reno10 Pro+, Reno9 Pro+, K13s, K13x, K12, K12 Plus, K12s, K12x, Pad 3, Pad 2, Pad SE
OxygenOS 16 Rollout Schedule for OnePlus devices:
Month
Devices
November 2025
OnePlus 13, 13R, 13S, Open, 12, 12R, Pad 3, Pad 2
December 2025
OnePlus 11 5G, 11R 5G, Nord 5, Nord CE5, Nord 4, Nord 3 5G
Q1 2026
OnePlus 10 Pro 5G, Nord CE4, Nord CE4 Lite 5G, Pad, Pad Lite
How to install ColorOS 16 Beta
OPPO is currently running the beta testing program of ColorOS 16 for selected devices in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Here’s how you can enroll and install:
1. Open the Settings app and go to About Device.
2. Tap on the top right button and select Beta Program.
3. Fill in the details to register in the beta program, and tap on Apply Now.
4. After confirmation, you will receive the ColorOS 16 beta as an OTA update on your phone.
New Features in ColorOS 16
Here’s a list of the top new features in OPPO’s ColorOS 16:
Addition of the Luminous Rendering Engine with the Trinity Engine for smoother animations.
A new optimisation mode called Project Breeze for faster performance.
Improved AOD widgets on lockscreen.
AI portrait photography features with studio lighting effects.
Better multitasking experience with quick app-switching options on the homescreen and app drawer.
Samsung OneUI 8 Rollout Schedule
Samsung was among the first non-Pixel devices to release its latest software based on Android 16. The OneUI 8 update is now available on the Galaxy S25 Series, Galaxy S24 Series, Z Fold 6, and other flagships. The highlight of the update is the system-level integration of Galaxy AI, which will offer personalised suggestions based on the user’s daily usage.
Here’s a list of all Samsung devices eligible for the OneUI 8 update, along with the rollout schedule:
While Samsung is working to roll out the OneUI 8 update to maximum devices by the end of this year, you can also install the beta version to get a taste of the new version earlier. Follow these steps to enroll and install OneUI 8 beta on your Samsung phone:
3. Tap on the Beta card and participate in the Beta Program.
4. You will soon receive the beta version as an OTA update on your phone.
Note that not all devices are eligible for OneUI 8 beta. If you have a mid-range Samsung phone from the A, M, or F Series, then you may directly receive the stable update, depending on the model.
OneUI 8 New Features
Here’s a quick overview of the top new features in Samsung’s OneUI 8:
OneUI 8 is based on the latest Android 16 version.
Context-aware Galaxy AI that can analyse anything on screen in most apps.
Improved animations and better visuals throughout the OS.
Generative AI features for image editing, chat assist, now bar, and more.
Revamped splitscreen feature for better multitasking.
FAQs
Q. When will OriginOS 6 release?
The global rollout of OriginOS 6 will begin in November 2026 starting with the Vivo X200 series.
Q. Will iQOO phones get OriginOS 6?
Yes, iQOO phones will also receive the OriginOS 6 update. All eligible iQOO devices will be migrated from Funtouch OS to OriginOS via on OTA update.
Wrapping Up
Samsung, Vivo, iQOO, OPPO, OnePlus, Realme, and many other brands have started the rollout of Android 16 based updates of their respective interface. The rollout has alredy begun for some phones, and almost all eligible devices will be updated in the next six months. Vivo is currently under a major transition from Funtouch OS to OriginOS, which is expected to boost the overall user experience in Vivo and iQOO devices.
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This will be a huge upgrade over Funtouch OS, as it used to take a fraction of a second for an app to get active after loading from memory.
After filtering through all the rumours, teasers, and developer builds from the Chinese version, here are six defining features in OriginOS 6 that are coming to Vivo and iQOO devices by the end of this year.
The biggest challenge for Vivo is not introducing new features or a better design, but rather facing the massive expectations from users in India and around the globe.
When Vivo announced that Funtouch OS would be replaced by OriginOS 6 globally, the change sparked a massive interest among smartphone enthusiasts. It signalled a bold shift in design philosophy and software strategy. While Funtouch has served as a functional OS, it often felt like a patchwork of customisations. With the world rapidly embracing features like AI-driven experiences and user friendliness, Vivo needed something better and more ambitious. And that is precisely what OriginOS 6 promises.
The biggest challenge for Vivo is not introducing new features or a better design, but rather facing the massive expectations from users in India and around the globe. After filtering through all the rumours, teasers, and developer builds from the Chinese version, here are six defining features in OriginOS 6 that are coming to Vivo and iQOO devices by the end of this year.
New Features in OriginOS 6 and Why They Matter
Faster and Smoother Animations
From the two teaser videos of OriginOS 6 released by Vivo, it is clear that faster animations and a smoother interface are the top highlights. The video showcases ultra-fast app switching with swift movements, indicating that the UI will offer swift multitasking.
It can also be perceived that OriginOS 6 will offer better memory management, as the apps appear to be kept active even while switching. This will be a huge upgrade over Funtouch OS, as it used to take a fraction of a second for an app to get active after loading from memory.
AI Integration
Vivo’s official page of OriginOS 6 announcement mentions that the new interface will be enriched with AI capabilities. Although the company has not shared an exact list of features, we can build an idea of what to expect from the Chinese version.
The company is expected to introduce support for on-device translation, AI-powered image generation, and possibly a digital assistant. It is worth noting that Vivo has extensively used MediaTek’s processors for its recent flagship X Series, and it also holds an R&D partnership with the chipmaker. The company has also showcased such similar features at its China launches, and these may finally make their way to the global version starting with Origin OS 6.
Dynamic Island-Inspired Cutout
Another video shared by Vivo itself showcases a feature where you can drag images from your phone’s gallery to the camera cutout and upload them directly to any social media app. This looks like an upgraded version of Apple’s Dynamic Island. It will allow you to quickly share media across apps, without having to open new apps each time.
The teaser also shows that you can pin certain apps to this floating window. When we combine this with the smoother animations, OriginOS 6 is set to offer a seamless multitasking experience.
Android 16
OriginOS 6 will be based on the latest Android 16 version. It brings the latest security updates and everything new from the world of Android. Some notable features in Android 16 include desktop-style multitasking, improved privacy and security, new dashboards for settings and permission management, better support for third-party apps for always-on display, and more.
If these sound familiar, it’s because Vivo already has some of these features in Funtouch OS. However, the functionality can be restrictive due to Android 15’s permissions. The latest version of Android will open all paths for Vivo to integrate these functions in a seamless way in OriginOS 6.
Fresh Colours in Notification Panel
The logo of OriginOS 6 emphasizes brighter colours like orange, red, and pink. Although Funtouch has always allowed users to customize accent colours, the new OriginOS 6 may take a dynamic approach in a more colour-intuitive design.
It’s an open fact that Funtouch is known to be inspired by Apple’s iOS, especially in the notification panel and settings page. However, Apple recently introduced a massive change with its Liquid Glass design, and we may see some excerpts of the same in OriginOS.
New Widgets
Vivo has shared quite a few details about OriginOS 6 in China, which include several new widgets. These include better music control, wallpaper controls, improved app integration with widgets, quick access to certain features, and more. Considering that the company is bringing the same OS to the global market, we can expect most of these widgets to be carried forward to Vivo and iQOO phones.
OriginOS 6 Launch Date
OriginOS 6 will be officially unveiled in China on October 10. The upcoming Vivo X300 Series will be the first phone from the company to boot the new version out of the box. Vivo has also started an insider preview of OriginOS 6 to select users of the Vivo X200 Pro and the iQOO 13. The stable version rollout is expected globally from November.
FAQs
Q. Which devices are eligible for OriginOS 6?
All Vivo and iQOO smartphones eligible for the Android 16 update will receive OriginOS 6. This applies to all flagship, mid-range, and budget series from the company.
Q. When will OriginOS 6 arrive in India?
There is no official launch date of OriginOS 6 in India. The company is already running an insider preview of the same for the Vivo X200 Pro and the iQOO 13.
Wrapping Up
OriginOS 6 looks like a turning point for iQOO and Vivo by rethinking what software looks, feels, and behaves. For Indian users, this also means potential gains in performance and smarter features, allowing you to extract more productivity from your smartphone. Vivo’s hardware game is already super strong, and the new interface is expected to elevate the experience further.
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The ASUS VivoWatch 6 is making waves in the wearable tech world with its innovative health management features and practical design. This article explores the key aspects of this new smartwatch, highlighting its unique capabilities and how it stands out in the crowded market of health-focused wearables.
Fingertip-Based Health Measurements
One of the standout features of the ASUS VivoWatch 6 is its fingertip-based health measurements. This smartwatch is the first to offer fingertip blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, providing users with a convenient way to monitor vital health stats. Equipped with medical-grade ECG and PPG sensors, the VivoWatch 6 allows for easy and accurate health tracking by simply placing your thumb and index finger on the watch face sensor. This feature makes it simpler for users to keep tabs on their heart health and blood pressure, making preventive healthcare more accessible.
Comprehensive Health Monitoring
Beyond its innovative fingertip measurements, the VivoWatch 6 offers a range of health monitoring tools. It includes Body Composition Analysis, Sleep Tracking, Relaxation Index, and Body Harmony Analysis. The Body Composition Analysis uses a bioelectrical impedance (BIA) sensor to measure body fat, skeletal muscle percentages, water content, and basal metabolic rate. Sleep Tracking helps users understand their sleep patterns, while the Relaxation Index uses heart rate variability (HRV) to gauge short-term stress levels. The Body Harmony Analysis provides insights into the user’s daily emotional status over the past week, helping to manage stress and overall well-being.
Practical Design and Long Battery Life
The VivoWatch 6 features a 1.39-inch AMOLED Gorilla® Glass touchscreen with a brightness of 350 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright conditions. Despite its advanced features, the watch weighs just 60 grams, making it comfortable for all-day wear. One of the most practical aspects of the VivoWatch 6 is its impressive battery life. In Power-Saving mode, the watch can last up to 14 days, allowing users to go longer between charges. This makes it a reliable companion for those with busy lifestyles or those who prefer not to charge their devices frequently.
Enhanced User Experience with ASUS HealthConnect App
The VivoWatch 6 is designed to work seamlessly with the ASUS HealthConnect app, which offers a user-friendly interface for tracking all health parameters. The app provides a comprehensive overview of the user’s health data at a glance, making it easier to understand and manage health metrics. Additionally, the app includes the Care Track cloud-based service, which allows family members to view the wearer’s location and health status in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for those caring for elderly relatives, offering peace of mind and ensuring timely assistance if needed.
Conclusion
The ASUS VivoWatch 6 sets a new standard for health-focused wearables with its innovative fingertip-based measurements, comprehensive health monitoring features, practical design, and long battery life. It’s designed to make health tracking easier and more accessible, helping users achieve their long-term health goals. For those interested in cutting-edge health technology, the VivoWatch 6 is definitely worth considering. Keep an eye out for pricing and availability in your region as ASUS rolls out this impressive new smartwatch. For more details, visit the official ASUS website.
Smartphone sales will mount a comeback starting in 2024, defying growing warnings of a prolonged slump across the mobile sector, according to separate projections by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reviewed by TechCrunch.
Morgan Stanley’s report predicts global smartphone shipments will rebound by nearly 4% in 2024 and by 4.4% in 2025, shrugging off comparisons to the PC industry’s multi-year downdrafts.
Driving the smartphone turnaround will be new on-device AI capabilities unlocking fresh demand, Morgan Stanley says. The investment bank raised its projections for 2025 worldwide phone volumes, citing the sizable potential of so-called edge AI to enable advances from enhanced photography to speech recognition while protecting user privacy.
Smartphone makers including Apple, Vivo, Xiaomi and Samsung have already started to express their bullishness on AI. Vivo’s new X100 with on-device AI saw explosive sales, while Xiaomi touted 6x usual volume for its AI-packed flagship. Samsung plans built-in generative AI for 2024 models, aiming to offer ChatGPT-style features processed directly on phones, not the cloud.
“The largest pushback is that there is no visibility on when the ‘killer app’ will be developed. If we take desktop internet and mobile internet as examples, the emergence of a new killer app usually comes 1-2 years after the initial breakthrough,” Morgan Stanley wrote in a report this week.
“While there is no guarantee that the killer app in Edge AI will follow the same timetable, the emergence of Microsoft’s CoPilot as the potential PC AI killer app could set the early foundation for popularizing AI at the edge (implying AI features/function on the device, not relying on cloud), and help to give investors confidence that a similar, but different, killer app for the smartphone will also emerge.”
Smartphone projection by Morgan Stanley. India is the only market slated for a double digit growth. (Chart and data: Morgan Stanley)
Goldman Sachs estimates that global smartphone volumes in 2023 will end at a 5% y-o-y dip to 1.148 billion units, down from an estimated 1.206 billion phones shipped last year. The 2023 decline would mark a second straight annual drop following much steeper falls in 2022.
But Goldman said momentum will rebuild in 2024 and 2025, fueled by new product launches. It forecasts worldwide smartphone shipments rising 3% to 1.186 billion in 2024, then climbing another 5% to 1.209 billion in 2025.
“With the holiday season and continuous restocking, along with better guidance from the supply chain on a market recovery, we revised up 2023-25E smartphone shipments; however, we continue to expect low single digit growth in 2024-25E, and global smartphone shipment to gradually get back to the 2022A level by 2025E,” Goldman Sachs analysts wrote.
The brightening mobile outlook diverges from consensus views that maturing smartphones face similar inertia and substitution threats as personal computers over the last decade. But Morgan Stanley said replacement cycles and use cases still favor mobile phones.
“Tablets and smartphones have been taking share from PCs since 2011. In other words, PC shipment declines have been caused by the emergence of new devices, not the disappearance of demand in general. We do not see smartphones facing a similar substitution risk from technologies like AR/VR anytime soon. Smartphone replacement cycles are shorter because they are used more frequently and have smaller batteries. Use cases for smartphones are still expanding, with Edge AI set to unlock a new wave of innovation.”
Goldman Sachs’ projections for top smartphone vendors. (Chart and data: Goldman Sachs)
