According to Cybermedia Research (CMR) has released a report titled ‘India Mobile Handset Market Review Report for Q4 2021’. As per the report, total smartphone shipments touched an all-time high of 166 million units by the end of calendar year (CY) 2021, growing 11 per cent on year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis. The report further revealed that 5G shipments grew over 600 per cent Y-o-Y. Smartphone revenue in CY2021 touched $37 billion.
Commenting on the report, Shipra Sinha, Analyst-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, said, “Smartphone continues to be an essential life driver. This is clearly reflected in the robust growth in the India smartphone market amidst the second pandemic wave, and despite component shortages. 5G played a key role in this overall growth with its contribution increasing to 17 per cent in CY2021. 5G shipments increased significantly (43 per cent) in the value for money (Rs 7,000 – Rs 24,999) smartphone segment.”
According to the study, Xiaomi (21 per cent), Realme (17 per cent) and Samsung (16 per cent) captured the top three spots in the smartphone leaderboard in Q4 2021 followed by Vivo and OPPO. In Q4 2021, Samsung led the 5G smartphone segment with 23 per cent market share followed by Apple at 14 per cent.
While affordable smartphone shipments (sub-Rs 7000) declined, premium smartphones (less than Rs 25000) registered an uptick in their growth.
Sinha further added, “One in every eight smartphones shipped in CY2021 was a premium smartphone. During the year, the premium smartphone segment grew 79 per cent Y-o-Y. This is where more smartphone brands, including the likes of Xiaomi, realme, OPPO, iQOO and vivo are seeking to challenge the current market incumbents, such as OnePlus, Apple and Samsung in the affordable premium tier segment.”
Going forward, in CY2022, CMR estimates point to a potential 15-18 per cent Y-o-Y growth in smartphone shipments. As per the report, the first half (H1) 2022 will continue to see supply-side constraints, with gradual easing in the second half of the year. CMR estimates 5G smartphone shipments to hover around 64 million, with the overall smartphone shipments topping the 190 plus million mark.
Meanwhile, Anand Priya Singh, Analyst- Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, said, “With 5G auction in late 2022 and roll-out thereafter, we foresee greater momentum for 5G smartphone shipments. Smartphone OEMs will prioritise 5G, by leveraging favourable supply side dynamics, and will continue to drive 5G, especially at lower price tiers. After two years of pandemic, smartphone market players will be better prepared to navigate supply constraints in the new never normal.”
