Keeping #1 Position
Samsung Electronics ranked first with a market share of 25.4% in the Indian mobile phone market in the second quarter of this year.
According to market researcher Counterpoint Research on July 28, Samsung Electronics ranked first with a 24.1% market share in smart phones and a 26.6% market share in feature phones. Overall, ITEL ranked second with 10.2%, Xiaomi third with 7.2%, MicroMax with 7.1%, VIVO fifth with 5.9%.
In the smartphone segment, Samsung was followed by Xiaomi (15.5%), Vivo (12.7%), Oppo (9.6%) and Lenovo (6.8%). In the feature phone market, ITEL came in second 15.7%, MicroMax, third (8.6%), Lava, fourth (7.5%), and Intex, fifth (6.3%).
In the second quarter of 2017, smartphone shipments in the Indian market grew 4% year on year and overall sales increased by 25% due to an increase in average selling prices (ASPs). As in China, the top five brands accounted for 70% of the entire Indian smartphone market.
It was found that 95% of smartphones sold in the second quarter were LTE-enabled handsets and sales of LTE-enabled handsets surpassed 150 million units during this period. The sales figure was the third largest after those of China and the United States. It is expected that India will overtake the United States within one year in terms of sales of LTE-enabled phones.
In terms of infrastructure, 50% of all of mobile phones used in India were compatible with 3G and 2G only. But most telcos have been expanding their LTE service coverage over the past year, and smartphone upgrades are expected to surge in the near future.
By prices, the market of 15,000- to 20,000-rupee mobile phones grew fastest for 2 consecutive quarters, raising the ASP of smartphones about 16%. Samsung, Oppo and Vivo are leaders in this market.
In the premium segment of 30,000-rupee or more expensive phones, Samsung kept its top spot with a market share of 55%, followed by Apple with 30%. In the premium segment, favorable responses to the Galaxy S8 series raised Samsung’s sales 13% from the pervious quarter.
"A comeback of Xiaomi spurred an increase in demand for mobile phones less than 10,000 rupees, and the Redmi Note 4 surpassed Samsung products for the first time in four years, becoming the best selling product in the first half of 2017," said Tarun Pathak, an associate director of Counterpoint Research.
Chinese brands in the Indian market continue to remain strong, accounting for more than half of all smartphone sales. Chinese companies such as Oppo, Vivo, and Gionee are carrying out massive marketing activities with huge funds to sponsor the IPL (Indian Premier League), the national sport of India. In particular, they are expanding their shares by launching new products in the mid-priced market where demand is rapidly growing.
Local brands in India are also showing a little growth, but they are struggling to enter high top rankings for the third consecutive quarter.