“Smartphone is high growth potential segment in Indian mobile phone market as less than 20 per cent sales came from smartphone in 2013 compared to over 80 per cent in markets like China. Global players like Samsung, LG, Motorola, Nokia along with local players like Micromax, Karbon, Spice, Lava are doing well in smartphone segment,” Gartner Principal Research Analyst Anshul Gupta said.
Korean electronics giant Samsung, which has close to 40 per cent share of the Indian smartphone market, believes that India is at the cusp of digital revolution as consumers switch from feature phones to smartphones at a scorching pace.
“The next 100 million connected users will demand mobile content and services in local languages provided through an enhanced user experience across a range of smart devices at an affordable total cost of ownership,” Samsung India Country Head (Mobile and IT) Vineet Taneja said.
According to IDC, smartphone sales in the country grew almost three-fold to over 44 million in 2013, buoyed by a strong uptake of affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn.
While Samsung led the category, Micromax had 16 per cent, Karbonn (10 per cent), Sony (5 per cent) and Lava (4.7 per cent) in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Handset makers are lining up more devices in the coming days to stay ahead in the competition.
Lava is slated to launch ‘Iris X1' with Android KitKat under Rs 8,000, Nokia will make available the single SIM variant of its Lumia 630 for Rs 10,500. Intex also plans to update the Aqua i5 HD to KitKat in the days ahead.
The strong growth in sales of affordable smartphones has been driven by growing demand in smaller cities. Also various buyback schemes and instalments EMI options by retailers has also helped increasing affordability.
Stating that affordable segment presents a sizeable and immediately addressable market opportunity, Nokia India (A Microsoft Mobiles Oy subsidiary) Director Marketing Viral Oza said the fast growth has “inspired competition” and availability of choice is good for the consumer.
The firm, which sells only Windows-based smartphones is also confident of the platform doing well.
“Our commitment is to deliver aspirational smartphones and experiences - uncompromised - at all price points. Windows Phone has made tremendous strides in recent months,” Oza said.
With WP 8.1 bringing in an even more enhanced experience on Lumia devices across price points, the company is poised to further consolidate its position in the segment, he added.
