Samsung takes 24% of Indian smartphone market in Q3 to secure top spot

Samsung Electronics Co. recaptured the top spot in the Indian smartphone market in the third quarter with a 24 percent market share, up 4 percent from a year earlier.

It is the first time in two years for the South Korean tech giant as the largest smartphone vendor in India, benefitting from anti-China sentiment and aggressive marketing there.

India is the world's second-largest smartphone market.

According to Counterpoint Research, a global industry analysis firm, Samsung's smartphone sales in India increased 32 percent on-year in the third quarter and was the fastest to recover and surpass the pre-COVID levels.

It added that the strong performance was the result of multiple strategies, including an effective supply chain, touching various price points through new launches, and aggressive push in online channels.

Counterpoint Research also noted witnessed some anti-China consumer sentiments impacting sales of brands originating from China at the start of the quarter.

Samsung was trailed by Chinese brands led by Xiaomi with a 23 percent market share, Vivo with 16, Realme with 15, and Oppo with 10.
All of them suffered an on-year market share decline, except Oppo, which advanced 2 percent from last year.

India's smartphone market grew 9 percent on-year in the third quarter to over 53 million units due to pent-up demand.

Samsung is expanding its presence in India by releasing the Galaxy M31s, the Galaxy M51, and the Galaxy F41, and conducting sales promotions.