Smartphone market in India increased 12 percent to 24.4 million units in Q1 2016.
Samsung, Micromax, Intex, Lenovo and Lava are the top five smartphone makers in India in the first quarter of 2016, said Canalys.
Lenovo’s smartphone shipments grew 63 percent. Apple increased shipments 56 percent.
Microsoft, BlackBerry, Sony and LG were the biggest losers in the Indian smartphone market.
“The rise of online channels, the arrival of new international vendors (particularly from China), the move to LTE and the desire for higher-quality devices have all had a big impact. Indian companies have struggled as incoming vendors have been quicker to address these trends,” said Ishan Dutt, research analyst at Canalys.
The Canalys report said Micromax has been facing tough times, with key executives leaving. Market share of Micromax fell by a couple of percentage points to 16.7 percent in Q1 2016.
Apple is in eighth place. Apple increased shipments 56 percent to make it the second fastest-growing vendor in the top 10.
Apple is challenging Samsung’s dominance of the premium segment. For devices priced over $300 (INR 20,000), Samsung’s market share fell from 66 percent in Q1 2015 to 41 percent in Q1 2016, while Apple grew its market share from 11 percent to 29 percent.
“Price cuts to the iPhone 5s made it the most popular Apple device on the market, despite its smaller screen and outdated hardware,” said Canalys Mobility Analyst Wilmer Ang.
Canalys expects to see more smartphone vendors partnering with financing companies, which will help boost overall affordability and ensure growth in a cost-conscious market.
Baburajan K
