India’s 5G Smartphone Shipment Increased to 57% In Q3, With Samsung Leading the Way.

According to recent research, India’s 5G smartphone shipment share increased to 57% in the third quarter (Q3) of this year, representing a 78% year-on-year increase.

According to CyberMedia Research (CMR), Samsung dominated the country’s 5G smartphone market with a 23% market share, followed by Vivo at 16%.

$11 billion in value 5G devices will be available in the third quarter of 2023.  

“The 5G smartphone segment continued to headline the market growth, with 44 new launches, and a 57 percent market share. Foldable smartphones experienced remarkable growth, doubling year-on-year. Furthermore, 4G feature phones showed tremendous growth, driven by aspirational India and the demand for companion devices in Urban India,” said Shipra Sinha, Analyst- Industry Intelligence Group, CMR.

While India’s smartphone market stayed steady year on year, the entire mobile market fell by 1%, according to the research.

The value-for-money smartphone sector (Rs 7,000-25,000) has the highest share at 69%. Despite this, its exports dropped by 11% year on year.

The inexpensive smartphone sector (less than Rs 7,000) witnessed significant growth, increasing by 78% year on year.

The premium sector (Rs 25,000-50,000) increased by 11% year on year. According to the research, the super-premium smartphone category (Rs 50,000- 1,00,000) and the uber premium segment (more than Rs 1,00,000) witnessed exceptional year-on-year growth rates of 87% and 136%, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2023, Apple had a 6% market share in the smartphone market. Due to attractive prices on its prior generation phones, its shipments increased by 44% year on year. 

During the quarter, 4G feature phone shipments increased by more than 300 percent (year on year). JioBharat K1 Karbonn and JioBharat V2 contributed considerably to this expansion, accounting for 63% of the market. 

The whole feature phone market fell by 6% year on year. Notably, 2G feature phone shipments fell by 27% year on year, according to the research.

Furthermore, researchers predicted a 1-2 percent fall in smartphone sales for the full year.

“Compared to a year ago, smartphone OEMs will exit 2023 with better inventory levels. As we move forward, OEMs will look to maintain a leaner product portfolio, backed by aggressive marketing to gain market share,” said Menka Kumari, Analyst-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR. 

Analysts also predicted that total smartphone shipments in 2024 might increase by 8-9 percent, with 5G shipments increasing by more than 40% year on year.