India Smartphone Shipments Dropped 1.7% In 2020, Ending Years Of Growth
This is according to IDC¡¯s quarterly mobile phone tracker which saw that 150 million units were shipped to India in 2020 -- a 1.7 percent decline year over year after years of constant growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic made us understand the importance of our smartphone and Wi-Fi -- morphing from luxuries to a necessity -- whether it¡¯s to work from home or attend virtual school or just staying entertained.
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However, despite this, the pandemic has also impacted smartphones shipments. And now, a report by International Data Corporation (IDC) has revealed that India has witnessed an almost 2 percent year-over-year drop in smartphone sales.
Drop after several years of growth
This is according to IDC¡¯s quarterly mobile phone tracker which saw that 150 million units were shipped to India in 2020 -- a 1.7 percent decline year over year after years of constant growth.
With the nation staying at home, travel restrictions, and manufacturing shutdowns India saw a 26 percent decline in the first half of 2020 -- specifically impacting 2Q20. However, the second half of 2020 recovered, with 19% YoY growth, as markets reopened gradually.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, (October-December) the report revealed that 45 million devices were shipped with a 21 percent year on year growth.
Navkendar Singh, Research Director, Client Devices & IPDS, IDC India explains, ¡°The rebound of the smartphone market in the latter half of 2020 underscores the importance of devices in our day-to-day lives. In 2021, IDC expects the smartphone market to grow in high single-digit YoY, driven majorly by upgrading consumers, in the mid-range segment and affordable 5G offerings (~US$250). Also, revamped offline channel play is anticipated, to bring back growth in the very important brick and mortar counters for long term sustainability.¡±
Smartphone brand performance in India
Xiaomi continued to claim the top position among the top five with 39 percent market share in 2020. Samsung continued to hold on to its second position that it earned in 2020. It saw a 65 percent year-on-year growth in online sales while offline declined 28 percent.
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The third company to ship most devices was Vivo with a 30 percent share in the offline channel. Realme surpassed Oppo in claiming the fourth position, selling 19 million annual shipments and growing 19 percent year on year. Oppo took the fifth spot focussing on offline sales claiming 18 percent annual share.
Additionally, the sixth position was claimed by Transsion -- the company behind Infinix, Itel and Techno-branded phones posing a 64 percent annual growth. Apple claimed the seventh spot with a striking 93 percent growth year on year with the sale of iPhone 11, iPhone XR and even SE as well as strong demand for iPhone 12 in the fourth quarter of 2020.
