During Q3 2019, India’s smartphone shipments reached 49 million units and subsequently during Q4 2019, Xiaomi and Samsung continued to lead the smartphone market in India. Now, according to a report from Counterpoint Research, India has surpassed the US to become the 2nd largest smartphone market in the world after reaching 158 million shipments in 2019.
There has been a 7% YoY growth and the main reason is due to the growth of the mid-tier segment with Chinese OEMs launching many flagship-grade features and capabilities on smartphones, and also to capture demand from users who are upgrading their smartphone.
According to the report, in 2019 Xiaomi grew 5% YoY followed by Samsung which showed a 5% decline YoY. On the other hand, Vivo grew 76% YoY, realme grew a massive 255% YoY, OPPO grew 28% YoY, and other brands showed a 39% decline YoY in 2019.
Similarly, in Q4 2019, Xiaomi’s smartphone market share was 27%, the same as during Q4 2018, and it is followed by Vivo with 19%, up from 10% during Q4 2018. It is followed by Samsung with 19%, down from 20%, OPPO with 12%, up from 7%, realme with 8%, the same as during Q4 2018. Other brands exhibited a 7% YoY change.
Furthermore, according to the report, Apple was one of the fastest-growing brands in Q4 2019 and Itel, Infinix, and Tecno reached its highest ever market share in Q4 2019. Lastly, major brands are aiming to expand into the fast-growing mid-tier segment this year and it should be an interesting segment to watch.