India 2nd-largest active installed base of smartphones globally

India has the second-largest active installed base of smartphones in the world, behind only China, according to a yet-to-be-released Counterpoint Research report based on 2025 data.

- SURAJEET DAS GUPTA

The country has an active installed base of over 740 million smartphones — more than half of its population of 1.45 billion.

Unlike shipment data, the active installed base reflects device longevity, user retention, and ecosystem loyalty, capturing the cumulative impact of years of sales combined with longer replacement cycles in mature markets.

India accounts for 14 per cent of the global installed base of smartphones. China remains at the top with a 19 per cent share, translating into around 1,005 million devices. The total global active installed base of smartphones in 2025 is pegged at 5,285 million.