Tag: Indian smartphone market

  • HMD Crest & Crest Max Launch in India: OLED Display, Repairability

    HMD Crest & Crest Max Launch in India: OLED Display, Repairability

    HMD has officially launched its smartphones in the Indian market. The Finnish company has introduced two new models – the HMD Crest and HMD Crest Max. Both devices are budget-friendly, priced under Rs 17,000. They share similar designs and specifications, with only a few differences. Here’s a detailed look at what these phones offer straight out of the box.

    HMD Crest, Crest Max Specifications

    The HMD Crest and Crest Max feature a 6.67-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a center-aligned punch-hole cutout. Both models include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button and a square camera module with a glossy finish on the rear.

    In terms of cameras, the HMD Crest is equipped with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth unit on the back. The HMD Crest Max, on the other hand, boasts an enhanced triple camera setup consisting of a 64MP main lens, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth unit. Both devices sport a 50MP front-facing selfie camera. Features such as night selfies, AI portraits, flash shots, and more are available.

    Under the hood, the HMD Crest is powered by a Unisoc T760 chipset coupled with 6GB RAM, while the Crest Max comes with 8GB RAM. The Crest offers 128GB of storage, whereas the Crest Max provides up to 256GB. Both smartphones are powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. HMD claims that the new devices come with Repairability 1.0, making it easier to replace components like the back panel, battery, display, and charging port, thus extending the device’s lifespan. On the software front, the phones run on Android 14 and are guaranteed to receive 2 years of OS updates.

    Pricing and Availability

    The HMD Crest is priced at Rs 14,999, while the Crest Max costs Rs 16,499. Both models are available in Purple and Red colors. Additionally, the Crest is offered in Blue, and the Crest Max comes in Green. As part of the launch offer, the Crest will be available at Rs 12,999, and the Crest Max at Rs 14,999. The smartphones will be available for purchase during Amazon’s Great India Freedom sale next month.

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  • Xiaomi Leads Indian Smartphone Market in Q2 2024: Canalys Report

    Xiaomi Leads Indian Smartphone Market in Q2 2024: Canalys Report

    The Indian smartphone market experienced a modest 1% growth in the second quarter of 2024 (Q2), as reported by market research firm Canalys. This deceleration can be attributed to various factors such as national elections, weak seasonal demand, and severe weather conditions in certain regions of the country. Despite the overall market stagnation, there were notable changes in the rankings of smartphone manufacturers.

    Consumers Eye Upgrades with 5G on Horizon, Boost Expected for Festive Season

    Xiaomi, after losing the top spot for six consecutive quarters, reclaimed its position in Q2 by capturing an 18% market share with 6.7 million units shipped. This rebound is likely due to their persistent focus on delivering attractive 5G smartphones in the mass market. Additionally, Xiaomi is targeting the flagship and upper midrange segments with the launch of the Xiaomi 14 series and Xiaomi 14 Civi.

    Vivo closely followed, also shipping 6.7 million units, thanks to its strategy of offering affordable 5G and feature-rich mid-range models. Samsung secured the third position with 6.1 million units shipped. Realme and Oppo (excluding OnePlus) rounded out the top five with 4.3 million and 4.2 million units shipped, respectively.

    In Q1 2024, the Indian smartphone market saw a 15% year-on-year increase, with shipments reaching 35.3 million units. This growth was driven by an improved inventory situation and successful promotional strategies. During this period, Samsung led with a 19% market share, followed by Xiaomi and Vivo. Other brands like Apple, Motorola, and Infinix also experienced significant growth.

    Looking forward, Canalys forecasts mid-single-digit growth in smartphone shipments for the upcoming holiday season, driven by a potential upgrade wave. Their research indicates that 44% of Indian consumers plan to purchase a new phone within the next year, with many looking for the latest features such as 5G.

    Challenges in the Indian Market

    However, Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia highlights several challenges in the Indian market. Frequent discounts during festivals create unrealistic price expectations among consumers, impacting brand value and profitability. Additionally, the slow transition from feature phones to smartphones and the expanding second-hand market pose challenges for manufacturers.

    Xiaomi Leads Indian Smartphone Market in Q2 2024: Canalys Report
    Xiaomi Leads Indian Smartphone Market in Q2 2024: Canalys Report
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  • Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Indian Price Leak with M14 4G

    Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Indian Price Leak with M14 4G

    Samsung is gearing up to unveil the Galaxy F15 5G in India on March 4 at 12 PM, with exciting teasers hinting at what consumers can expect from the upcoming smartphone. Recently, the brand teased the impressive battery capacity of the device, and now, it has also offered a glimpse into its anticipated starting price.

    Pricing Details Revealed

    The teaser has provided a sneak peek into the pricing structure of the Galaxy F15, indicating that the base model could kick off at approximately Rs 11,999. The smartphone is expected to come in two variants: 4GB+128GB and 6GB+128GB.

    Insight from Tipster Abhishek Yadav

    Renowned tipster Abhishek Yadav has contributed to the speculation, suggesting that the F15 5G might be priced at Rs 13,499 for the 4GB+128GB variant and Rs 14,999 for the 6GB+128GB model. Additionally, Yadav hinted at a potential Rs 1,500 discount through bank offers, potentially reducing the starting price to below Rs 12,000. It is worth noting that the teased pricing likely includes bank offers, aligning with the prevailing trend in the Indian smartphone market.

    Leaks and Anticipated Releases

    Furthermore, leaks have surfaced regarding the Samsung Galaxy M14, another upcoming device expected to be available in 4GB+64GB and 6GB+128GB configurations, priced at Rs 9,499 and Rs 12,499, respectively. Although Samsung has not officially confirmed the launch date for the Galaxy M14 in India, the appearance of the device’s support page on Samsung’s website hints at an imminent release.

    Features and Specifications

    Official sources reveal that the Samsung Galaxy F15 boasts a triple camera setup on the rear and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC. Rumors also suggest that the smartphone will receive four significant Android OS updates and enjoy five years of security patches. Anticipated features include a waterdrop notch Infinity U Super AMOLED display, potentially offering a 90Hz refresh rate.

    Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Indian Price Leak with M14 4G
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  • Xiaomi to be dethroned as Samsung emerges as India’s smartphone market leader in 2023

    Xiaomi to be dethroned as Samsung emerges as India’s smartphone market leader in 2023

    In a significant shift in India’s smartphone landscape, market research firm Counterpoint Research predicts that Samsung is poised to reclaim its leadership position, surpassing Xiaomi as the top smartphone brand in 2023. The latest data reveals a compelling narrative of changing market dynamics, with several factors contributing to this potential leadership change.

    Decline in Xiaomi’s Market Share

    Counterpoint Research projects a sharp decline in Xiaomi’s market share, plummeting to 15% in 2023, marking a 5-percentage point decrease from the previous year. The Chinese tech giant, which has long held the top spot in India, is grappling with challenges and scrutiny from investigative agencies, impacting its standing in the fiercely competitive market.

    Samsung’s Strategic Positioning

    On the other hand, Samsung has strategically positioned itself to capitalize on the changing tide. The company’s quarterly shipments have consistently outperformed Xiaomi’s for four consecutive quarters, setting the stage for a potential comeback. Samsung’s comprehensive business strategy includes a diversified product lineup and a targeted approach to different retail channels.

    Product Lineup and Retail Channels

    The Galaxy A series is geared towards offline channels, the Galaxy F series focuses on online retail through Flipkart, and the Galaxy M series is positioned on Amazon. Additionally, Samsung’s flagship smartphone series, including the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z, further contribute to its overall market share.

    Geopolitical Tensions and Government Actions

    The geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by a 2020 border clash between Chinese and Indian forces, have put Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, on shaky ground. The Indian government’s actions against Chinese tech companies, including app bans, increased scrutiny, raids, and tax penalties, have further contributed to the challenges faced by Xiaomi in the Indian market.

    Reshuffling of Smartphone Market Leadership

    The broader impact of geopolitical tensions and government actions is evident in the reshuffling of smartphone market leadership. If predictions hold true, Samsung is anticipated to capture 18% of the market volume by the end of 2023, signaling a notable transformation in the Indian smartphone market.

    Potential Turning Point in 2023

    As Samsung executes its strategic vision and Xiaomi grapples with challenges, the industry is witnessing a potential turning point in 2023, with Samsung emerging as a strong contender for the leadership position in the fiercely competitive Indian smartphone market.

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