India's iPhone market grows, attracting advertisers

India's smartphone market remains dominated by Android, but the number of iPhone users is rising. According to Ishank Joshi, founder and CEO of Mobavenue AI Tech, iPhone adoption in India is creating new advertising opportunities for brands.

Market research firm Omdia estimates that 50 million of India's 610 million smartphone users had iPhones in 2023. This number is expected to increase to 65-70 million this year, according to Joshi.

Apple's App Store, which draws over 850 million weekly visitors across 175 countries, provides advertisers with access to a large and active consumer base. Joshi noted that this platform also offers brands an alternative to expensive advertising on Google and Meta.

The growing iPhone user base is particularly appealing to advertisers seeking consumers with higher average revenue per user (ARPU), strong purchase intent, and long-term value. Joshi highlighted that sectors such as commerce, fintech, and gaming could benefit from advertising on Apple's ecosystem.

Mobavenue recently launched PiiX, a platform to help advertisers manage campaigns on Apple's App Store. The product currently has 15 active customers, though Joshi said it is not a major revenue source for the company at this time.

Mobavenue AI Tech reported a 54.4% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 11 crore in Q2 FY27, with revenue rising 41% to Rs 76.7 crore. The company also recorded nearly 41% year-on-year growth in EBITDA during the September quarter.