India Premium Smartphone Segment Q1, 2018

Samsung regains the top spot, Apple struggles while OnePlus 5T was the bestselling model in a downhill market.

South Korean major Samsung regained the top spot in Q1 2018 Indian smartphone premium segment due to strong initial demand for its newly launched S9 series while OnePlus solidly maintained its second position in a quarter which saw considerable market shrinkage.

The premium smartphone segment declined 13% sequentially due to drop in promotions post festive Q4 2017, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest analysis of the Indian smartphone market. The Y-o-Y, scenario however remained stable.

As per analysis, Apple had a weak Q1 too as demand for its iPhone 8 and X series declined sequentially in contrast to its performance in the Chinese market. Additionally, the Cupertino giant had to battle rising import tariffs due to lack of “Make in India” domestic manufacturing capabilities for its portfolio. The import tariffs have increased thrice in the past five months, leading to an increase in the price of already expensive iPhones in India during the quarter. Comparatively, competition is well positioned to manufacture locally even at the PCBA level to remain immune to import tariff hikes.