- Samsung and Apple are expected to launch their 5G devices soon
- OnePlus has also regained its top position in the India premium smartphone market with 29 per cent share
- Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo entered the ultra-premium segment
According to a report, India’s smartphone shipments in the premium segment (over Rs. 30,000) declined 32 per cent year-on-year to over 1 million in June 2020 quarter on account for disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research published in a leading daily. The report also revealed that the nationwide lockdown for almost 40 days led to almost zero shipments in April which also contributed to the decline.
New launches like OnePlus 8 series 5G in premium segment and re-entry of Apple in affordable premium segment kept the momentum alive in the market, it said.
Also, the quarters also witnessed more vendors focusing on the ultra premium segment for better profitability and to increase brands mind share in the Indian market.
Apple stands third in the premium shipment share
The report also shared that 5G has become standard in the ultra-premium segment and Samsung and Apple are expected to launch their 5G devices soon.
OnePlus has also regained its top position in the India premium smartphone market with 29 per cent share in the said quarter leaving Samsung behind. On the other hand, Apple fell to the third spot in the premium shipment share during the quarter due to intensifying competition.
India’s premium smartphone market is shaping up as OEMs are now changing their strategies to target consumers in all price tiers. Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo entered the ultra-premium segment. With this, the segment no longer remains an oligopoly of Samsung, Apple and OnePlus. It cited the example of Vivo V19 that gained the second spot in the premium segment within the initial quarter of launch.