New battles define a slowing Indian smartphone mkt

Which brand is the number one smartphone maker in India at present? The answer is, quite simply too close to call. For a significant period of time, contests between Xiaomi and Samsung headlined this space.

- Vishal Mathur

Now, the battle is between Samsung and Vivo, with the latter being on a sustained upward trajectory.

As focus remains on market share, two very distinct trends are emerging: First, India's smartphone market is in a decline. Whether that is temporary remains to be seen.

Secondly, Indians are now more inclined towards premium phones.

According to IDC, or International Data Corporation, 64 million smartphones were shipped in India in the first half of 2023, a decline of 10% compared with HI 2022. Specifically, in Q2 2023, the 34 million smartphones shipped represent a 10% increase over Q1 2023, but that is still decline of 3% compared with second quarter 2022.

Cyber Media Research (CMR) found India's Q2 shipments declined 6% compared with the year-ago quarter. More expensive phones, and 5G in vogue

The data by these analysts also shows that Indians are spending more on smartphones, a trend reflected in Android phone makers such as Samsung, OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo and Nothing focusing on premium price points.