Smartphone shipments in India fell over 27 percent to 29.6 million in the October-December quarter of 2022, from 40.6 million in the same period last year, mainly due to inflationary pressures, market research firm IDC said on Friday.
According to the report, declining consumer demand due to high inflation remained a challenge throughout the year despite the improved supply situation.
smart phone Deliveries in the under $300 (approx. Rs. 25,000) price segment fell 15 per cent, while the $300-500 and over $500 (approx. Rs. 41,000) mid-premium and premium price segments rose 20 and 55 per cent respectively in 2022 .
The entry-level smartphones under Rs. 12,500 each, down from 54 percent a year ago to 46 percent.
IDC India, Research Manager, Client Devices, Upasana Joshi, said there is a shortage of new launches under $150 (about Rs 12,000). smart phone segment limited its growth.
According to IDC Associate Vice President, Devices Research, Navkendar Singh, rising prices and excess inventory are likely to be a concern for at least the first half of this year.
“We should expect a rather difficult and protracted recovery in the smartphone market as worries about rising prices and excess inventory will remain a concern at least in the first half of 2023.
“Suppliers and distributors need to reconsider and drive their plans for their entry-level portfolios 5G Affordability of the devices with attractive trade-in programs and financing models,” said Singh.
xiaomi led the market for the quarter and year-on-year with 18.6 and 21 percent market share, respectively, despite a huge year-on-year (YoY) decline in shipping volume.
Xiaomi’s shipments fell 38.3 percent in the December quarter of 2022 and 25 percent year-on-year in 2022.
Apple maintained its leadership in the premium segment with a 60 percent share, followed by Samsung with a share of 21 percent.
Samsung smartphone shipments fell by 22.6 percent in the December quarter of 2022 and by 6.6 percent for the year.
Samsung was the second-largest player for both the quarter and year-to-date with 18.4 percent and 18.1 percent share of smartphone shipments, respectively.
A total of 201 million mobile phones were shipped in 2022, an annual decrease of 12 percent.
“Feature phone shipments were 57 million, down 18 percent year-on-year. Samsung, Xiaomi and Transsion were the leaders in the overall mobile phone market,” the report said.
