Smartphone shipments in India have grown 14% in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to the same quarter in 2019, reveals CyberMedia Research (CMR). The research firm also says that South Korean tech giant Samsung emerged as the top smartphone brand in India in Q3 2020, dethroning Chinese Xiaomi.
The growth in shipments was driven by factors like attractive pre-festive season product launches, promotions and discounts by the companies. The smartphone brands’ aggressive marketing too helped in the growth story, as CMR says. Despite that smartphones have seen a rise in the last couple of months, fuelled by the online classes across the country and more and more usage of the smartphones during the work from home (WfH) era.
Samsung’s emergence to the top beating Xiaomi was led by models like Galaxy M01 Core and M31, with both coming packed with a host of features. The Samsung Galaxy M01, A21S and M30 models accounted for almost 60% of its total smartphone shipments. Samsung’s low and midrange affordable smartphone segment witnessed a 38% YoY growth in shipments during Q3 2020.
Samsung’s growth and Xiaomi’s fall was also fuelled by the negative sentiment against the Chinese brands. The anti-China sentiment fuelled by the Galwan Valley clash between the two countries impacted the Chinese smartphone companies, giving benefit to Samsung. Besides that, the Covid-19 restrictions and supply chain disruptions too played a key role in the decline of Chinese brands’ smartphone shipments.
Xiaomi in Q3 2020, lost its crown position in the Indian smartphone market with its shipments recording 5% YoY dip. Half of its overall shipments were attributed to newly introduced models like Redmi 9i, 9A, 9 Prime, Redmi 8A Dual, Redmi 8, and Redmi Note 9.
Third position was held by Vivo, another Chinese smartphone brand in India, which registered 7% YoY growth in shipment, majorly driven by the V and Y series. However, its smartphone shipment recorded a 16% drop in Q3 2020, as compared to Q2 2020. The Y91i, Y30, Y20 series contributed to over 50% of Vivo’s overall shipments.
Realme’s shipments increased by 13% YoY majorly driven by the C11, C6, 5i, and C3, along with the Realme 7 contributing 50% of its total sales. Oppo too grew 31% YoY. The company witnessed 135% YoY growth in the premium segment with the Reno series in.
In the high-end 5G smartphone segment, OnePlus Nord has driven the growth story to almost 500% in Q3 2020, as compared to the previous quarter. OnePlus recorded 104% growth YoY. The company contributed three-fourth of total 5G smartphone shipments in Q3 2020 led by models like One Plus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro along with the Nord.
Apple too registered 67% YoY growth to grab seventh position in the Indian smartphone market during that period. The American company’s sales were majorly driven by iPhone SE and iPhone 11 contributing 91% of its total shipments in Q3 2020.
Meanwhile, CMR estimates that the Indian smartphone market will grow by 15% YoY in H2 2020, with the fourth quarter witnessing a 14% YoY growth, driven by the festive season and year-end sales, on the back of the discounts and offers from various companies.
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