Robust restoration for India’s smartphone marketplace in 2021 with a file 162 million shipments

Xiaomi MI, Realme and Samsung Trademarks are noticed on a billioard of a Electronics store in Sopore, District Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India on 26 October 2020.

Nasir Kachroo | NurPhoto | Getty Pictures

India’s smartphone marketplace made a robust restoration in 2021 and grew 12% from the former yr, in line with analysis company Canalys.

Smartphone makers shipped a file 162 million units in closing yr, in spite of a troublesome begin to the yr as the rustic battled a 2nd wave of Covid-19 and navigated provide chain disruptions, in line with company.

“Following a robust comeback in Q3, smartphone distributors shipped 44.5 million units in This fall for two% enlargement, in spite of a difficult provide chain,” the analysis company mentioned in a document on Monday.

Chinese language smartphone makers ruled the highest 5 spots in 2021, with Xiaomi main the way in which. South Korean phonemaker Samsung took 2nd position, whilst Chinese language producer vivo took 3rd place. Shenzhen-based Realme got here an in depth fourth, however for the primary time in India, controlled to clinch 3rd position within the fourth quarter.

The expansion comes in spite of India struggling a catastrophic 2nd wave of Covid-19 closing yr, which noticed lockdowns and provide chain disruptions around the nation, affecting each smartphone call for and provide.

Distributors needed to adapt to the unstable surroundings by way of diversifying their provide chains and broadening their product combine, mentioned Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia.

“On the similar time, because of the vaccination rollout, marketplace reopening and pent-up call for, smartphone shipments reached all-time highs for the full-year,” he added.

Realme’s super enlargement

Whilst Xiaomi and Samsung retained their most sensible spots for 2021, Shenzhen-based Realme noticed the largest complete yr and quarterly enlargement.

Realme, which is about to go into the top class smartphone marketplace, noticed shipments develop by way of 25% for the complete yr to 24.2 million devices.

The Chinese language corporate completed an annual enlargement of 49% within the fourth quarter whilst the opposite 4 manufacturers suffered a damaging enlargement.

“Realme’s file cargo general used to be made imaginable by way of inventions in making plans and inventory control which ended in excellent provide of mass-market smartphones similar to Narzo 50A and C11,” mentioned Chaurasia.

Vivo remained at 3rd position for 2021, however Realme chased intently in the back of with a marketplace percentage of 15% closing yr, only one% not up to Vivo. OPPO remained within the 5th position with a marketplace percentage of 12%.

Upcoming traits

Expansion is predicted to proceed this yr, mentioned Chaurasia, pushed by way of alternative call for and new consumers migrating to smartphones.

With low-end gamers gaining momentum within the fourth quarter of closing yr, new gamers would possibly shake up the contest for marketplace percentage, Canalys mentioned.

“JioPhone Subsequent, which targets to improve feature-phone customers by means of disruptive financing choices, made a robust get started with a number of million devices bought,” mentioned Chaurasia. And on Amazon and Flipkart, Infinix and Tecno successfully leveraged emblem promotional campaigns. Additionally they larger emblem reputation on social media platforms.”

In combination, the remainder of the manufacturers noticed an annual enlargement of 111%, and a year-on-year enlargement of 126% within the fourth quarter by myself.

The analysis company additionally expects India to go through an enormous virtual transformation this yr.

“2022 will convey 5G spectrum auctions with new radio frequency levels, and 5G will develop into considerably extra available on the subject of protection and worth,” mentioned Chaurasia.

“Smartphones in a position to 5G will fall additional in worth amid fierce supplier contention, however shipments will likely be stifled in H1 2022 earlier than the part scarcity eases.”