In the fourth quarter of 2022, Samsung overtook Xiaomi as the top smartphone vendor in India, according to research firm Canalys. Samsung shipped 9.4 million units, while Xiaomi shipped 9.2 million units during the same period.
Despite this setback, Xiaomi remained on top for the full year of 2022. The Chinese company shipped 38.8 million units, while Samsung shipped 38.5 million units.
This shift in the Indian market can be attributed to Samsung’s focus on the budget and mid-range segments, as well as its aggressive marketing and distribution strategies. The company also saw strong demand for its Galaxy A series and M series devices.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, faced challenges with supply chain disruptions and increased competition in the online market. The company also saw a decline in sales of its Redmi Note and Poco series devices.
This is not to say that Xiaomi’s performance in India has been lackluster. The company has seen steady growth in India and has been able to establish itself as a strong player in the market. Xiaomi’s strong online presence and emphasis on value-for-money devices have also helped it maintain a loyal customer base.
Overall, the Indian smartphone market is highly competitive and dynamic, with new players entering the market and established players like Samsung and Xiaomi constantly battling for the top spot. It will be interesting to see how the market develops in the coming years and which companies will come out on top.
It’s also worth noting that Samsung has been able to sustain its lead over Xiaomi in Q1 of 2023 as well, with Canalys report indicating that Samsung has shipped 9.4 million units, while Xiaomi shipped 9.2 million units during the same period.
