169 million units were shipped in 2021 in India which is the highest number to date. According to Counterpoint Research’s Market Monitor research, the Indian shipment grew by 11% YoY totaling 169 million units shipped in 2021 alone, and the demand was so high that saw 8% YoY decline in December quarter shipment due to supply issues.
The year 2021 saw a lot of turbulence be it the global component shortage or the second COVID-19 wave, however, the smartphone industry in India has flourished due to many reasons. This includes affordable smartphones in the mid and high tiers with discounts and promotions and a series of financing options that made the industry grow by over 1/10th of the same period last year.
Talking about the numbers, the Indian smartphone market comprises more than a dozen smartphone makers. However, Xiaomi ruled at the top with a 24% market share in 2021 which is a slight decrease from 2020. In Q4 2021, Xiaomi reported a 21% market share while it was at 26% in Q4 2020.
Proceeding further, Samsung stood at the second position with an 18% market share depleting by 3% from 2020. Its Q4 market share in 2021 and 2020 was at 16% and 20% respectively. In Q4, the company picked up 3rd position albeit the YoY market share makes it at the second position.
Vivo took a lion share of 15% which is a percent more than Realme at 14% and finally Oppo took a bit of the pie at 10% all arranged in chronological order after Xiaomi and Mi.
However, the Q4 2021 market share in India states Realme took the lead at 17% followed by Vivo (at 13%) at fourth followed by Oppo at 9%.
According to the CR report, Xiaomi made its existence sound dominant in the premium INR30,000+ tier recording a 256% YoY growth. On the contrary, Samsung registered higher retail ASP in the year 2021 with a 28% share for smartphones priced between INR20,000 to INR45,000.
Moving on, the Cupertino-based Apple recorded as one of the highest growing brands in the country recording a 108% YoY growth in the INR 30,000+ segment thanks to the aggressive sales campaign for both iPhone 12 and 13 series. Transsion Group comprising of Tecno, Infinix, made a whopping 55% YoT growth last year with 10 million shipments recorded together.
The top 5 companies in India have a huge 81% of the market share while others get a measly 19% up their sleeves.
The Indian smartphone industry recorded a total of 169 million units shipment in 2021 while the average selling price (ASP) in 2021 grew by 14% YoY reaching $227 considering many factors responsible for the hike in prices such as component shortages and increased priced, premium segment getting most of the input from OEMs and so on.
