IDC: Xiaomi and Samsung Tie for India’s No. 1 Handset Maker
Xiaomi and Samsung both shipped 9.2 million mobile phones, each accounting 23.5 percent of the Indian smartphone market during Q3, IDC reported on November 14. The two are now tied for India’s top mobile phone brand. The news marks the first time Xiaomi has caught up with Samsung to become the top smartphone in India.
Xiaomi‘s growth rate was about 300 percent when compared with the same period last year, making it the fastest-growing smartphone brand in India, according to the report.
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RedMi Note 4, RedMi 4 and RedMi 4A are among the top five smart phones in terms of sales in India during Q3 of 2017. Though released for nine months since January, the RedMi Note 4 took the top spot in India’s smartphone sales for three consecutive quarters with 4 million shipments.
Xiaomi says it has adopted a new triathlon business model – built on the foundations of hardware, new retail and Internet – and invested more in offline marketing. Through its partnership with retail outlets, Xiaomi has launched Preferred Partners Stores in India and Xiaomi Home, which doubled offline sales in Q3. Xiaomi is the leader in online sales with 51 percent of the market.
“After entering the Indian market for three years we have achieved unprecedented results. As far as we know, Xiaomi is the first company to take the lead in so many fields in such a short time,” said Manu Jain, general manager of Xiaomi India, “This landmark could not be achieved without the joint efforts of 350 colleagues in India. We are committed to bringing innovations to the product, business model, infrastructure, market strategy and various aspects.”
Lei Jun, found, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, sent a mail to congratulate the Indian team on their achievement. “This is a very great achievement, and is a new milestone in the history of Xiaomi!” he wrote.
Xiaomi has made a series of breakthroughs since it resumed its rapid growth. In September and October alone, its shipments exceeded 10 million units. IDC’s latest report shows that Xiaomi‘s global market share has risen to 7.4 percent from 3.7 percent in the same period last year, gaining a foothold in the Top 5 brands.
