Samsung Ranks 2nd in India's Smartphone Market, Expected Rapid Growth in 5G Phones This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Samsung Electronics ranked second in India, the world's second-largest smartphone market, last year, following China's Xiaomi. Samsung Electronics, which had once fallen to third place on a quarterly basis due to the low-price offensive from Chinese manufacturers, is leading the market with its mid-to-low-end lineup, the Galaxy M and A series. The Indian smartphone market saw shipments exceed 100 million units in the second half of last year, driven by pent-up demand from COVID-19.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 1st, the shipment volume of the Indian smartphone market last year surpassed 150 million units. This represents a 4% decrease compared to the previous year on an annual basis. It is interpreted that the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown, which halted the Indian economy at the beginning of the year, was significant. However, in the second half of the year, smartphone replacement demand surged, leading to a record-breaking shipment volume of over 100 million units in a half-year period, showing strong performance.

Counterpoint Research explained, "The Indian smartphone market maintained momentum in the fourth quarter following a record-breaking third quarter," adding, "Pent-up demand after the lockdown, online channel promotions, and increases in remote education and telecommuting led the market." The growth rate in the fourth quarter last year reached 19% compared to the previous year.

India Smartphone Market Share (Annual Basis)

By manufacturer, China's Xiaomi (26%) took first place for the year. Samsung Electronics recorded second place with a market share of 21%. This was followed by Vivo (16%), Realme (13%), and Oppo (10%).

Xiaomi was also first in the fourth quarter last year. Although there were concerns about instability due to rising anti-China sentiment in India following a bloody clash at the Himalayan border, it is evaluated that Xiaomi found its footing again in the fourth quarter. Samsung Electronics took second place with a 20% market share. Although this was a disappointing result compared to the previous quarter when it was first, it is considered a strong performance given that it was third behind Chinese manufacturer Vivo in the same period last year and at the beginning of the year.

India Smartphone Market Share (Based on Q4)

Counterpoint Research analyzed, "Although Samsung Electronics was pushed to second place in the fourth quarter, it showed strong growth of 30% compared to the previous year," adding, "It had a good year as the second-largest player in the Indian market on an annual basis." Samsung Electronics significantly strengthened its mid-to-low-end lineup by consecutively launching the Galaxy M series and A series in the Indian market last year. Online shipment volume grew 1.5 times compared to a year earlier.

Another market research firm, Canalys, estimated Samsung Electronics' annual shipment volume in the Indian smartphone market last year at 28.6 million units, an 11% decrease compared to the previous year. Its market share was 20%, 2 percentage points lower, ranking second behind Xiaomi.

Counterpoint Research expects the growth of 5G phones to accelerate in the Indian smartphone market this year. Last year, 5G smartphone shipments exceeded 4 million units, led by OnePlus and Apple. This year, it is projected to increase more than ninefold to reach 38 million units.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.