According to data released recently by Counterpoint, Indian smartphone shipments for 2019 have reached 158 million units. In the fourth quarter of 2019, VIVO surpassed Samsung and became the second largest smartphone supplier in the Indian market. From the fourth quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2019, VIVO’s market share jumped 132%. Although the increase of Xiaomi is only 7%, it is still on top in India.
Counterpoint analysts said VIVO was able to beat Samsung due to its S-series smartphones priced at $100 to $150. Regardless of the fact where it was sold, in physical stores or online e-commerce platforms, VIVO has achieved good results. This brand has expanded offline stores to small towns in India as well as signed agreements with merchants. At the same time, it was offering merchants generous commissions to incentivize them to sell their phones instead of competitors’ phones.
With the exception of VIVO, Xiaomi has maintained its No.1 position in India for the tenth consecutive quarter with a 27% market share. Samsung has significantly reduced the price of its smartphones in this market. Plus, it has launched smartphones with local functions. But like the Chinese smartphone market, Samsung is struggling to compete with a large number of Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
As for other brands on the list, OPPO ranks fourth, while Realme ranks fifth.
As for now, we should write down that while other brands are fighting fiercely for the second position in the Indian market, Xiaomi still remains the leader with any new efforts.