Smart phones have not added a new dimension to the interpersonal connectivity, but it has also brought internet to the reach of the lowest strata of society. Studies suggest that internet has not only geared up developmental index, but its impact on socio economic balance is matchless.
Who could have imagined thirty years back that a small device like Smartphone would rewrite the history. As the research was intensified, big computers were replaced by small computers, than laptops were evolved, after that net books and now smart phones. In the price range of 1500 to 2000/- one can have a smart phone which is capable of performing all functions as a computer does.
With the rise of technology smart phone sales have also jumped worldwide. India is emerging as a hot destination for smart phone manufacturers, with one of the biggest market across the globe, availability of internet at reasonable pricing and aggressive marketing even by small market players.
Earlier some reports were suggesting that by the end of 2017 India could surpass the US as second-biggest market for smart phones. However, the growth of sales in India was as rapid as it was never expected. Shunning all analysis, as per the news item published in The Indian Express online addition dated 3rd Feb 2016 it was mentioned that India has overtaken smart phones sales and is now second in terms of sales beating USA with total base crossing 220 million units and still market experts believe that this is just beginning with passage of time India could achieve much more than anticipated by experts.
One of the main reason behind this is that market share in India is dominated by local brands like LAVA, MICROMAX and INTEX as there three players offer cheap mobile smart phones at competitive features and thus comprise 32 percent of market share.
As per studies conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) it was found that 26.5 million smart phones were shipped to India in second quarter of 2015 whereas mobile phone market sunk by -6%. The growth was further accelerated by vendors using online retail and Chinese vendors have tripled their shipments to India and also they focused more on bringing 4G phones at a price band of 100-150 $ per unit.
Hence latest studies indicates that in India alone mobile handset sellers sold around 95 million devices in the county in 2015. In fact, 40 percent of the 235.6 million units of mobile handsets sold were smart-phones and this figure is expected to around reach 130 million out of 250 million units in 2016. According to a study conducted by Cyber media Research, of the 95 million smartphones sold in 2015, 30 percent were 4G enabled, with numbers expected to be between 5 million and 60 million devices by the end of 2016. The sale of smartphones grew at 18 percent while feature phones registered a sharp decline of 27.1 percent in annual shipments last year.
The companies have focused extensively on introduction of new technologies, affordability and competitive pricing. The competitive pricing is vouched from the fact that ASP (average selling price) for a smartphone in 2013 was 13,000 rupees which has come down to 10,700 rupees (95 million units) by the end of 2015. The prices are expected to come down below 10,000 rupees in 2016,” the study pointed out. Interestingly, a Delhi-based firm Ringing Bells on Thursday announced the launch of the world’s cheapest smartphone at 251 rupees (approximately $3.66), which has created ripples in the market, though doubts have surfaced over its durability and claims which has also been put to the questioning by the Govt.
Another reason attributed to the increased sales of smartphones is the launch of 4G services by major telecom service providers. While Vodafone and Airtel are already offering 4G services, Reliance group soft launched the service last year and its commercial launch is expected by May this year. And it will spearhead another booms in smartphone market in India.
- Challenges of Integrated Marketing Communication - October 27, 2024
- What Does A Business Development Manager Do? - April 8, 2024
- Let’s Know About Online Retailing, Before You Start - September 10, 2023