Samsung is set to build momentum and regain its top position in the world’s second largest smartphone market in the second half of 2019, Strategy Analytics said.

Popularity of Galaxy A and M series smartphones are helping Samsung penetrate deeper into the big online market.

Samsung’s smartphone market share has increased sharply from 23 percent in Q2 2018 to 26 percent in Q2 2019.

“A portfolio refresh undertaken by Samsung last year, and its India First strategy, have been central to the resurgence in the second quarter, Woody Oh, director at Strategy Analytics, said.

India smartphone shipments

India smartphone shipments rose 3 percent to 35.6 million units in the second quarter of 2019, the latest research report from Strategy Analytics said.

“India smartphone growth was driven by generous discount schemes promoted by online retailers such as Flipkart and Amazon,” Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, said.

China-based Xiaomi has retained the first position in the Indian smartphone market. Korean brand Samsung is closing the gap in second place.

Vivo and Oppo have lost market share in the Indian smartphone business, as Realme made significant gains.

Counterpoint Research earlier said India smartphone shipments reached 37 million units, registering single-digit growth in Q2. Xiaomi has 28 percent share in the smartphone business in India as compared with 25 percent for Samsung, 11 percent for Vivo, 9 percent for Realme and 8 percent for Oppo, Counterpoint Research said.

Strategy Analytics said Xiaomi has 28.7 percent share in the smartphone business in India as against 26.3 percent share for Samsung, 11 percent for Vivo, 8.1 percent for Oppo and 7.9 percent for Oppo.

Xiaomi has lost its share to 28.7 percent from 28.8 percent despite its large retail presence across India.

At the same time, Samsung increased its share in the smartphone business in India to 26.3 percent from 23.2 percent.

Vivo also lost its smartphone share – to 11 percent from 12.5 percent. Oppo lost its share to 8.1 percent from 10.7 percent.

Like Xiaomi, Vivo is also struggling to take on a revitalized Samsung. Oppo is facing intense competition in midrange price-bands from Asus, Samsung and others, Rajeev Nair, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, said.

Indian smartphone brands have lost momentum and their collective smartphone market share today stands at less than 3 percent.

Indian smartphone makers such as Micromax and Lava have failed to win in India and the outlook for them in 2020 is bleak, Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, said.