Realme Surprisingly Overtakes Samsung in India's Smartphone Market, Apple Becomes Fastest Growing Brand

Realme beat Samsung to take second place in smartphone shipments in India in the last quarter of 2021.

What is known

This is reported by analysts Counterpoint Research. The share of the Chinese company was 17% against 16% for Samsung. Xiaomi is in the lead with 21% control, but its dominance no longer looks as monumental as it did a year earlier, when it occupied more than a quarter of the Indian market. The top 5 were vivo and OPPO with shares of 13% and 9%, respectively.

According to the results of all 2021, Xiaomi also excels. It took 24% of the market, 2% less than in the base period. Samsung's share fell from 21% to 18%, and vivo's from 16% to 15%. Despite a bumpy last quarter, realme ranked fourth (13% --> 14%). Finally, OPPO remained at its 10% bottom in the top 5.

In conclusion, we note some interesting facts. Firstly, in the $400+ segment, Xiaomi sales grew by 258% due to the Mi 11 family. Secondly, in the last quarter, Samsung led the 5G smartphone segment and the $265-600 category. Thirdly, realme won the race for 5G models under $200. Finally, Apple (suddenly) became the fastest growing brand in India in 2021 - +108%, but not even in the top five.

A source: Counterpoint Research