India is the fastest growing smartphone market in Asia: IDC

India is the fastest growing market in Asia Pacific with a quarter-on-quarter growth of 27 percent in Q3 2014 (July-September). According to IDC, the market observed exceptional growth owing to festive demand and recorded a new high in smartphone shipments in Q3 2014.

As a result, Indian smartphone market outshone other emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region in terms of quarter-over-quarter growth, the market analyst firm said.

The overall mobile phone market stood at 72.5 million units in Q3 2014, which is a 15 percent quarter-on-quarter growth and a 9 percent year-on-year growth.

Q3 results reveal second consecutive quarter of more than 80 percent year on year shipment growth for Smartphone, reflecting robust end-user demand for the category in the devices market in India. The share of smartphone market in the overall mobile phone market stood at 32 percent in Q3 2014, which is a considerable growth over 19 percent in the same period a year ago.

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According to Asia Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (excluding Japan), vendors shipped a total of 23.3 million smartphones in Q3 2014 compared to 12.8 million units in the same period of CY 2013.

“With 6 percent contribution in the overall smartphone market, ‘Phablets’ (which IDC defines as 5.5 inches-6.99 inches screen size smartphones) are observed to be hitting a plateau. On the other hand smartphone with screen size between 4.5 inches and 5.5inches are seen as the sweet spot for consumer preference. Consumer need higher screen size phone to enjoy media content and with the 4G rollout expected in CY2015, we expect ‘phablets’ segment to pick up again,” said Kiran Kumar, Research Manager, Client Devices IDC India.

With 24 percent market share Samsung continues to be the market leader in the smartphone segment. Samsung has witnessed shipment growth in Q3 2014 but the growth is noted to be lower than the industry average. Hence, there is a contraction in their market share.

Yet another strong quarter for Micromax. Micromax’s market share has increased from 18 percent in Q2 2014 to 20 percent in Q3 2014.

Being one of the fastest growing handset vendors, Lava has witnessed growth in both their brands i.e. ‘Lava’ and ‘Xolo’. Both the brands are currently treated as independent line of business in the marketplace.

Consistent growth has been observed in Karbonn smartphone shipments. More than 85 percent of their shipment volume is supported by handsets priced less than $100.

Motorola’s fresh line up of 2nd generation handset fared well for the vendor, helping it cement its position amongst the top 5 vendors.

In the overall mobile phone market, Q3 2014 has been one of the quarters where feature phone shipments recorded double digit quarter on quarter growth of 10 percent. However, contribution of feature phone in Q3 2014 compared with the same period of CY2013 shows a de-growth of 9 percent as large number of users continue to migrate to smartphones.

In the overall mobile phone market, Samsung remained the market leader, followed by Micromax, Nokia, Lava, and Karbonn. Lava’s feature phone business shaped up well in Q3 2014. Hence it was able to clinch the 4th spot in the overall mobile phone business surpassing Karbonn.

In India, IDC anticipates moderate sequential growth in quarter-on-quarter in CY 2015.

“With positive consumer sentiments and low levels of inflation, consumers will have more money to spend. Majority of the smartphone users change their phones within 12 to 24 months. With 44 million units shipped in CY 2013 and the current market scenario hinting at 80 million plus shipment in CY 2014, we have a big chunk of end-user market which is awaiting refresh. To add to this, new initiatives on the 4G front are expected to be rolled out by the vendors which would spark up demand in the smartphone market in CY 2015,” said Karan Thakkar, Senior Market Analyst at IDC India.