India LTE smartphone market reaches 10 million in Q3 2015

India smartphone market in Q3 2015
India LTE smartphone market reached 10 million units in the third quarter of 2015, surging 2400 percent annually, according to Counterpoint.

The smartphone shipments in India grew 20 percent annually and 12 percent sequentially in Q3 2015. More than one in three mobile phones shipped in India is now a smartphone.

Indian smartphone market is being fueled by two device trends — LTE and phablet form-factor. LTE smartphone shipments more than doubled sequentially and almost up 2400 percent more compared to last year. One in two smartphones shipped in India was a phablet.

“We are seeing significant proliferation of LTE and a larger display form-factor in sub $100 price band,” said Tarun Pathak, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.

One in Three smartphones sold were through online channels such as Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal and others.
One in three smartphones shipped were LTE smartphone.

One in Four mobile phones sold during the quarter was Made in India product.

Samsung had 23.2 percent share in the Indian smartphone market – benefitted from the launch of J series during the quarter.

The Korean vendor lost share sequentially with minor presence in sub $100 smartphone segment.

Samsung is leading the LTE smartphone segment as most of the mid-to high-tier Galaxy models are LTE ready.

Micromax had 17.7 percent share in the Indian smartphone market. It is facing pressure in $50-$100 price segment from Intex, Lava and others.

Micromax Yu brand alone is selling more smartphones than Xiaomi online.

Intex is the third largest smartphone brand. Its smartphone market share reached 12 percent. Intex also expanded its LTE portfolio.

Lava (excluding Xolo) surpassed Microsoft for the first time capturing fourth spot in the overall handset market.
Lava managed to increase its smartphone market share to 7 percent.

Lenovo including Motorola raced to fourth position in smartphone segment, primarily due to strong sales of its K3 Note. Lenovo (including Motorola) crossed 2 million units in India for the first time.

Smartphone shipments of Xiaomi fell 46 percent due to competition from Lenovo and Micromax’s Yu brands especially in the sub-$100 segment.

Apple shipped 1.7 million units of smartphones in India in its fiscal year. Its market share remains around 1 percent.

Baburajan K
[email protected]