CyberMedia Research Confirms, Samsung Leads the Indian Mobile Smartphone Race
Once again, Samsung has become the top smartphone manufacturer, beating Micromax in its home ground. The Korean electronics firm has retained its position with an increase in market share from the last quarter. This shuffling is due of change in duty structure and restricted supply of mobile devices from Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus due to Chinese New Year festivities.
According to CyberMedia Research, Samsung’s share increased from 23.7% in fourth-quarter 2014 to 27.9% in Q1 2015 (January to March). The firm also saw a boast in market share in feature phone during this quarter that was lower in the previous one. The major factor to contribute to its growth in India is the availability of various models in different segments. Samsung has variety of smartphones from entry-level to high-range that led to its success this year.
Micromax remained at the second spot with a decline in market share in the smartphone segment. The India-based equipment firm registered a decline in share from 17.8% in the previous quarter to 16.2% in the first quarter of 2015. Microsoft rolled to the third spot with 9.6% share in overall mobile handsets.
Lead Analyst, Telecoms Research at CMR, Faisal Kawoosa commented, “With major announcements of new handsets and entry of some new brands happening in a big way in 4Q CY 2014, there wasn’t really something very exciting in the market for customers that could push up sales in 1Q CY 2015. At the same time, change in duty structure and the consequent impact on the supply chain due to the Chinese New Year festivities contributed to the market contraction.”
This quarter has seen contracted overall shipment from the Q4 2014. The mobile handset sale in the country declined by 15% to 53 million mobile handsets, out of which 37% were smartphones i.e. 19.5 million and 18% were feature phones.
