Smartphone Market Analysis in India
In comparison to the same period in 2023, this year’s growth performance stands out notably due to lower shipments caused by inflation pressures, weak demand, and inventory issues in the market at that time.
Entering 2024, with improvements in manufacturers’ inventory situations, channels are able to handle the launch of multiple new products this quarter, providing strong support for the growth of the smartphone market.
Apart from intense competition in the domestic smartphone market, the competition in overseas markets, especially in the Indian smartphone market, is exceptionally fierce.
Recently, the market research firm Canalys released a report on the Indian smartphone market in the first quarter of 2024, describing the market competition as extremely intense.
Data reveals that the Indian smartphone market reached 35.3 million shipments, a 15% year-on-year increase, injecting new vitality into the entire industry.
Looking at brand shipment volumes, competition among mainstream brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, and Realme is becoming increasingly fierce.
Although Huawei and Honor phones are not included in the data, Honor phones are gradually making waves in overseas markets, and Huawei phones are gradually regaining momentum, indicating potential diverse performances in the future.
Now, let’s cut to the chase and delve into the specific data of major brands and discover the differences between them.
Firstly, Xiaomi secures the second spot on the list, showcasing its strong presence in the Indian market through long-term dedication, which is now paying off impressively.
Xiaomi achieved a remarkable year-on-year growth of 29%, with 6.4 million units shipped, increasing its market share by 2 percentage points to reach 18% compared to the same period last year.
Driven by the strong performance of the Redmi 13C 5G, Redmi Note 13 5G series, and the early release of the POCO X6 series, Xiaomi witnessed robust growth in the first quarter.
These new products not only cater to consumers’ demand for high cost-effective smartphones but also consolidate Xiaomi’s position in the Indian market.
Next, Vivo’s ranking is noteworthy as it secures the third position with 6.2 million units shipped, a 14% year-on-year growth, maintaining a market share of 18%, the same as the previous year.
Vivo has consistently shown stable growth in the Indian market with a diverse product line catering to high-end flagship and mid-low-end segments, meeting various consumer demands.
Moreover, Vivo emphasizes localized operations in the Indian market by partnering with local telecom operators and retailers, enhancing brand awareness and market share.
Undoubtedly, Vivo’s future development is likely to be more aggressive, promising an enhanced user experience.
Moving on, it’s no surprise that Samsung clinches the first spot, shipping 6.7 million units, a 6% year-on-year growth, and holding a market share of 19%.
Although there’s a slight decrease in market share compared to the previous year, Samsung solidifies its position as a market leader with its brand influence and innovative products.
Especially, the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S24 surpassed its predecessor, attributed to Samsung’s precise marketing strategies like pre-order upgrade discounts, Samsung Finance+, and AI feature promotions.
While Samsung’s performance in the domestic smartphone market may not be particularly aggressive, the introduction of new models will undoubtedly yield positive results.
Of course, not all brands enjoy the benefits of market growth. For instance, OPPO witnessed a 4% year-on-year decline in shipments, leading to a 3-percentage-point decrease in market share to 10% compared to the same period last year.
Amidst intense market competition, OPPO needs to adjust its market strategies, enhance product innovation, and adapt to market changes to alleviate growing development pressures.
On the other hand, Realme secured the fifth position with 3.4 million units shipped, a 17% year-on-year growth, increasing its market share to 10% by 1 percentage point compared to the previous year.
Although most brands achieved double-digit growth in the first quarter, brands outside the top five continue to challenge the market share of leading manufacturers.
In conclusion, with the proliferation of 5G technology and consumers’ continuous pursuit of smartphone functionality, the Indian smartphone market is filled with endless possibilities.
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