India smartphone market overtakes US, Samsung leads in 2015

India smartphone share in 2015
India smartphone market has overtaken the US to become the second largest smartphone market in the world, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service.

Samsung is the market leader in Q4 and 2015 in both overall mobile phone and smartphone markets in the country — well ahead of Micromax. Samsung is also the market leader in 4G smartphone race. Intex lost the third rank to Lenovo.

India smartphone market rose 15 percent in Q4 2015. Indian smartphone shipments grew 23 percent to more than 100 million units in 2015.

India Smartphone user base grew to 220 million users by end of 2015 surpassing USA for the first time ever.

More than 40 percent of the mobile phones shipped were smartphones.

More than one in two smartphones shipped during the quarter were LTE smartphone.

Almost half of mobile phones sold during the quarter were “Made in India” with 20+ mobile phone brands now assembling their phones in India.

Domestic brands such as Intex and Lava have closed the gap with the second largest mobile phone or the number one domestic mobile phone brand Micromax.

Almost one in three smartphones were sold through online channels during the year.

Samsung has a share of 23.6 percent in overall mobile phone market and 28.6 percent in the smartphone segment in Q4.

Samsung’s J series drove volumes for the Korean giant as it ramped up the series by launching multiple SKUs in the entry to mid-level segment.

Three out of the top five smartphones during the quarter were from J series with J2 being the best-selling smartphone in India during the quarter.

Samsung led the LTE smartphone segment during the quarter.

Micromax has market share of 13.7 percent in overall mobile phone market and 14.3 percent in smartphone segment.

Micromax was the number three LTE player during the quarter

Micromax Yu brand crossed 2 million units in 2015.

Intex has market share of 13 percent in the overall handset market and 10.4 percent in the smartphone market.

Intex lost its number three spot in the smartphone market to Lenovo during the quarter with a market share of 9.6 percent. However, Intex ended the year as third largest smartphone vendor with a market share of 10.4 percent driven by growth in entry level smartphones.

Lava (excluding Xolo) maintained the fourth spot in the overall handset market and 7 percent share in the smartphone market in Q4 2015.

Lenovo including Motorola raced to third position in smartphone segment for the first time ever in India surpassing Intex with a market share of 11 percent during the quarter.

Lenovo was also the second largest LTE player.

Apple achieved a landmark – crossing 2 Million units in a calendar year for the first time ever in India. Apple commands 2 percent volume share of smartphones.

Microsoft lost its place among the top five brands in a quarter for the first time ever as Lumia shipments declined sequentially and annually.

Chinese players Oneplus, Coolpad and Meizu grew in India.

Huawei (with Honor), LeTV and Vivo will expand their offerings this year.

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