Apple CEO Tim Cook Praises India as Major Growth Market Amid Record Quarterly Performance
New Delhi: Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday described India as a "huge opportunity" for the technology giant's expansion, as the company reported unprecedented revenue records across its product lineup and services during the December quarter. This optimistic outlook comes despite Apple facing intensified competition and regulatory challenges in other key markets, particularly Greater China.
Record-Breaking Revenue Across Product Categories
During the fiscal 2026 first quarter, which concluded on December 27, 2025, Apple achieved a 16% increase in global quarterly revenue, reaching an impressive $144 billion. Cook emphasized that India stood out as a particularly bright spot, experiencing a "strong" double-digit surge in revenue. In an analyst call discussing the company's performance in the Indian market, Cook expressed enthusiasm about the results.
"We did set a quarterly revenue record during the December quarter, and to go a little further down, we set quarterly revenue records on iPhone and Mac and iPad, and an all-time revenue record on Services. So it was a terrific quarter in India," Cook stated, highlighting the comprehensive success across Apple's ecosystem.
India's Strategic Importance and Market Potential
Cook pointed out that while Apple's market share in India remains at "modest" levels, the country's vast potential is undeniable. "We really like what we see there. It's the second-largest smartphone market in the world and the fourth largest PC market. And we still have, despite very nice growth history, we have modest share there, and so we think there's a huge opportunity for us there, and we could not be more excited about it," he elaborated.
The Apple CEO also noted that first-time buyers played a crucial role in driving these numbers, indicating a growing acceptance of Apple's premium brand among the broader Indian consumer base. "The other thing that I would point out is that the majority of customers that are buying iPhone and Mac and iPad and Watch are all new to that product and so it speaks very well to opportunity there," Cook added, underscoring the untapped market potential.
Global Context and Comparative Growth
Cook contextualized India's performance within Apple's global trajectory, noting that the revenue growth in India aligns with the healthy trends observed in other major markets worldwide. "We set all-time revenue records in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and rest of Asia Pacific, and grew in the vast majority of markets we track. We continued to gain momentum in emerging markets, which includes India, where we saw strong double-digit revenue growth," he explained.
This global success story is particularly noteworthy given the competitive landscape in Greater China, where Apple's sales surged by 38% year-on-year to $25.5 billion, despite facing stiff competition from local players and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Retail Expansion and Install Base Growth
Looking ahead, Cook announced plans for continued retail expansion in India, with a second store set to open in Mumbai soon. "We were excited to open our fifth store in India in December and have plans to open another store in Mumbai soon," he revealed, marking this as Apple's sixth company-owned outlet in the country.
Adding to this positive outlook, Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh highlighted that the company's install base in India is also witnessing robust growth. "We're seeing strong double digit growth in the install base in India as well, which is really encouraging," Parekh noted, suggesting a sustainable upward trajectory for Apple's presence in the Indian market.
Overall, Apple's latest quarterly results and Cook's remarks underscore India's evolving role as a critical growth engine for the company, driven by strategic retail investments, expanding product adoption, and a favorable market environment for premium technology brands.
