According to CyberMedia Research’s (CMR) India Mobile Handset Market Review Report for the first half (H1) 2023, India shipped around $13 billion worth of smartphones with 5G capability in H1 2023. The 5G smartphone shipment share increased to 44 per cent as compared to 29 per cent in H1 2022, with 5G smartphone shipments growing 30 per cent year-on-year (YoY).
As per the report, Samsung dominated the 5G smartphone market in India, securing a 23 per cent market share, followed by OnePlus with a 18 per cent market share. India’s smartphone market shipments experienced a 13 per cent YoY decline, while the overall mobile market in India declined by 12 per cent YoY.
While the value-for-money smartphone segment (Rs 7,000-25,000) was the largest contributor with 74 per cent share, its shipments declined by 21 per cent YoY owing to slow demand. The affordable smartphone segment (<Rs 7000) declined 2 per cent YoY. The premium segment (Rs 25,000-50,000) also recorded 7 per cent YoY decline. The super-premium smartphone segment (Rs 50,000-100,000) and the uber premium segment (>Rs 1,00,000) shipments saw remarkable growth of 104 per cent YoY collectively, driven by iPhone 13 and 14 capturing 56 per cent share. In H1 2023, the top three smartphone models shipped in India were Apple iPhone 13, Apple iPhone 14, and OnePlus Nord CE3 Lite 5G.
Commenting on the findings, Shipra Sinha, analyst, Industry Intelligence Group, CMR said, “The decline in the overall smartphone market in India can be attributed to the prevailing macroeconomic conditions over the past year, which have affected consumer purchasing power and led to an accumulation of smartphone inventory. Notably, amidst this overall decline, the 5G smartphone segment experienced substantial growth of 30 per cent YoY. 31 per cent of value-for-money smartphones were shipped with 5G capability in H1 2023.”
According to CMR’s estimates, the market conditions are expected to improve in H2 2023, driven by the good monsoon, and the upcoming festive season. Overall 5G shipments for calendar year 2023 will hover around 75-80 million, with H2 shipments growing more than 75 per cent as compared to H2 2022.
Meanwhile, Menka Kumari, analyst, Industry Intelligence Group, CMR said, “The 5G smartphone market is set to grow in H2 2023. The resurgence in the smartphone market can be attributed to a gradually improving macroeconomic landscape, coupled with exclusive offers and promotions slated for the festive season. The growth in 5G along with increasing base of foldable phones will make substantial contributions to the overall growth trajectory of the smartphone market.”
