Indian mobile phone sales dip 3% in third quarter of 2023

In Q3 2023, the Indian smartphone market experienced a modest 3 percent year-on-year decline in shipments, as revealed in a report by research firm Canalys. However, there is a silver lining to this data, with the market showing signs of a gradual recovery, attributed to increased consumer confidence and the introduction of new product offerings. This resilience points to the dynamic nature of the Indian smartphone landscape. 

Indian mobile phone sales dip 3% in third quarter of 2023

Samsung maintained its position as the top smartphone brand in India during this quarter, boasting an 18 percent market share and shipping an impressive 7.9 million units. Xiaomi closely trailed, delivering 7.6 million smartphones, with Vivo, Realme, and Oppo securing places in the top five.

Notably, all of the leading smartphone brands in India encountered a year-on-year decline in shipments for Q3 2023. Xiaomi's decline was most pronounced at 17 percent, while Samsung's shipments dipped by 3 percent. Vivo, on the other hand, managed to maintain relatively stable shipment numbers. Realme and Oppo both demonstrated positive growth with 6 percent and 16 percent increases in shipments, respectively.

Beyond the top five, brands like OnePlus, Infinix, Tecno, and Motorola exhibited impressive growth, largely attributed to an expanded presence across various channels in India.

An interesting trend emerged in the entry-level smartphone segment, which saw the highest shipment figures in Q3 2023, fueled by new offerings featuring 5G connectivity. Moreover, premium phones from Samsung and Apple witnessed robust growth, driven by enticing offers during the festive sales events. This market snapshot underscores the diversification and adaptability within the Indian smartphone industry.