According to International Data Corporation (IDC) India is the fastest growing market in Asia Pacific with a quarter-on-quarter growth of 27% in Q3 2014 (July – September). The market observed exceptional growth owing to festive demand and recorded a new high in smartphone shipments in Q3 2014. As a result, Indian smartphone market outshone other emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region in terms of quarter-over-quarter growth.
The overall mobile phone market stood at 72.5 million units in Q3 2014, which is a 15% quarter-on-quarter growth and a 9% year-on-year growth.Q3 results reveal second consecutive quarter of more than 80% year on year shipment growth for Smartphone, reflecting robust end-user demand for the category in the devices market in India. The share of smartphone market in the overall mobile phone market stood at 32% in Q3 2014, which is a considerable growth over 19% in the same period a year ago.
According to Asia Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (excluding Japan), vendors shipped a total of 23.3 million smartphones in Q3 2014 compared to 12.8 million units in the same period of CY 2013.
“With 6% contribution in the overall smartphone market, “Phablets” (which IDC defines as 5.5 inches -6.99 inches screen size Smartphones) are observed to be hitting a plateau. On the other hand smartphone with screen size between 4.5 inches and 5.5inches are seen as the sweet spot for consumer preference. Consumer need higher screen size phone to enjoy media content and with the 4G rollout expected in CY2015, we expect “Phablets” segment to pick up again” says Kiran Kumar, Research Manager, Client Devices IDC India
