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In 2015, Samsung became the top phone seller in India. It beat Micromax, a local brand, with a big lead. This article explains what happened and why it matters.
Overall Phone Shipments in 2015
Smartphone shipments in India grew a lot in 2015. They rose 23.3% to reach 100 million units. The year before, only 81.1 million phones were shipped.
India is now the second biggest phone market in the world. Only the United States is larger. The country has about 220 million phone users.
Even with this size, only less than 30% of all people in India own a phone. This means there is still room for growth.
Growth of 4G LTE Phones
4G LTE phones helped the market grow. Shipments of 4G LTE phones rose 15% to 25.3 million units in the October‑December 2015 quarter. In the same quarter a year earlier, only 22 million units were shipped.
More than half of all phones shipped in that quarter could use LTE. This shows that people want faster internet on their phones.
New LTE services started from many operators. One big new player was Reliance Jio, which launched a green‑field network.
Because LTE phones are getting cheaper, experts think LTE will spread faster than 3G did before.
Market Share Leaders at the End of 2015
At the end of December 2015, Samsung led the phone market with a 28.6% share.
- Samsung – 28.6%
- Micromax – 14.3%
- Lenovo – 11.4%
- Intex – 9.6%
- Lava – 6.8%
When we look at the whole market (smartphones plus feature phones), Samsung still had the biggest share at 23.6%.
- Samsung – 23.6%
- Micromax – 13.7%
- Intex – 13.0%
- Lava – 12.6%
- Lenovo – 4.8%
These numbers show that Samsung is far ahead of the other brands.
Indian Phone Manufacturing and Assembly
More than half of the phones sold in the last quarter of 2015 were “Made in India”.
Over 20 phone brands have factories in India. This helps keep prices low and creates jobs.
Local manufacturing also means that phones can be customized for Indian users. For example, many phones come with regional languages pre‑installed.
What This Means for Consumers
Because Samsung has the biggest share, you will see many Samsung phones in stores.
The rise of LTE phones means faster internet for you. You can stream videos, play games, and video‑call with less lag.
Lower prices for LTE phones make it easier for more people to buy a smartphone.
Local assembly means you might get better after‑sales service and quicker repairs.
Overall, the market is growing fast. More phones, better technology, and more choices are coming your way.
FAQ
What does “market share” mean?
Market share is the part of total sales that a brand has. If Samsung has 28.6% market share, it sold about 28.6% of all phones in India.
Why is phone penetration still below 30%?
Many people in rural areas cannot afford phones yet. Also, internet coverage is still growing in some parts of the country.
How does LTE make phones cheaper?
As more companies make LTE phones, competition goes up. This pushes prices down, so you can buy a fast phone for less money.
Will Samsung stay on top?
Experts say Samsung is strong because of its brand, wide range of phones, and local factories. But the market can change if other brands bring new features or lower prices.
Conclusion
Samsung overtook Micromax to become the No.1 phone seller in India in 2015. The market grew a lot, especially for 4G LTE phones. More phones are now made in India, which helps keep prices low. For shoppers, this means more choices, faster internet, and better service. Keep an eye on the market – it is moving quickly and will bring more good news for Indian phone users.
