In the latest market survey released by the global market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC), it has been revealed that Samsung maintained its leading position in the Indian smartphone market during the third quarter of 2023.
The report sheds light on the overall landscape of the Indian smartphone market, highlighting the performances of the top 10 brands and their market share changes from the same period in the previous year.
However, the country’s smartphone market faced a challenging Q3 2023, with shipments totaling 44 million units. The market’s performance remained relatively flat compared to the previous year, primarily due to a weak showing during the quarter.
Samsung Top as Realme and Vivo on the Rise
Samsung continued to be the reigning champion in the Indian smartphone market despite a slight decline in its market share. In the third quarter of 2023, Samsung held 16.2% of the market share, down from 18.5% in the same period the previous year. This represents a 12.2% year-over-year unit decrease for the South Korean tech giant.
Realme and Vivo emerged as significant players in the market, with both brands experiencing notable growth. Realme secured the second spot with a market share of 15.1% in 3Q23, up from 14.2% in 3Q22. The brand witnessed a substantial 6.5% year-over-year unit increase, demonstrating its ability to resonate with Indian consumers.
Vivo claimed the third position, with a market share of 13.9% in 3Q23, compared to 12.3% in the same quarter of the previous year. Vivo’s remarkable 13.7% year-over-year unit growth showcased its strong presence and appeal in the Indian market.
Xiaomi and OPPO Market Decline
Xiaomi and OPPO, two prominent players in the Indian smartphone market, encountered difficulties in Q3 2023. Xiaomi’s market share dropped from 17.4% in 3Q22 to 11.7% in 3Q23, marking a significant 32.4% year-over-year unit decrease. Similarly, OPPO’s market share fell from 12.5% to 9.9% in the same period, with a notable 20.2% year-over-year unit decrease.
OnePlus, Poco, and Apple’s Positive Performance
OnePlus and Poco made impressive gains during this period, increasing their market share and experiencing significant year-over-year unit growth. OnePlus climbed from a 4.2% market share in 3Q22 to 6.2% in 3Q23, with a remarkable 50.1% year-over-year unit growth. Poco also showcased remarkable growth, increasing its market share from 3.8% to 5.7% and achieving a 50.8% year-over-year unit increase.
Apple, despite maintaining a relatively smaller market share, saw positive growth. The brand’s market share grew from 5.0% in 3Q22 to 5.5% in 3Q23, representing a 10.8% year-over-year unit increase.
Infinix and Tecno Show Promise
Infinix and Tecno, while having smaller market shares, exhibited promise in the Indian market. Infinix increased its market share from 2.5% to 3.1% in 3Q23, with a notable 26.8% year-over-year unit growth. Tecno’s market share also expanded, rising from 2.4% to 2.9% in the same period, indicating a 21.0% year-over-year unit increase.
The IDC’s report for the third quarter of 2023 highlights a mixed landscape in the Indian smartphone market. While some well-established brands faced challenges, others like Realme, Vivo, OnePlus, Poco, and Apple managed to capture the attention of Indian consumers and experience significant growth.
