FOREIGN BRAND PHONE SHIPMENTS
Tariff hikes may slow migration of feature phone users to smartphones: Experts
Recent steep tariff hikes by major Indian telecom companies are set to bolster the base of 4G feature phone users, shielding them from significant cost increases compared to smartphone users. This move is expected to slow down the migration to 5G smartphones. Industry experts suggest that while data consumption among 5G users remains strong, the tariff adjustments may lead smartphone brands to offer bundled data deals to spur sales. Overall, the impact on consumer behavior post-hike is anticipated to be moderated by entrenched data usage patterns.
Apple's iPhone shipments in China surge 40% in May amid aggressive discounting
Shipments of foreign-branded phones in China increased by 1.425 million in May to 5.028 million units from 3.603 million a year earlier，calculations based on the data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) showed.
Apple supplier Foxconn rejects married women from India iPhone jobs
A former human-resources executive at Foxconn India said the company's executives verbally convey the recruitment rules to its Indian hiring agencies, which Foxconn tasks with scouting for candidates, bringing them in for interviews and employing them.
Online phone sales pick up in April, may hot up in summer
Online smartphone sales surged in April after a dip in Q1 2024, driven by Chinese brands shifting focus to online channels, as reported by Counterpoint Research.
Vivo set to open ₹3,000-cr India facility in July
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is set to inaugurate one of India's largest mobile phone manufacturing facilities next month, with an annual capacity of 120 million devices. The facility is being set up with an investment of over ₹3,000 crore.
Chinese smartphone brands drive AI proliferation in 2024, led by Oppo
The second half of 2024 will see a surge in generative AI use in smartphones, spearheaded by Chinese brands like Oppo, Nothing, and Vivo. Analysts predict more AI features in lower-priced models, expanding beyond premium flagships. Oppo leads with over 100 AI capabilities and 5,399 AI patents. With AI phones projected to make up 11% of the global market, the segment will see significant growth, particularly in sub-$1000 models, driven by aggressive innovation from Chinese manufacturers.
- Go To Page 1
Oppo sets up AI centre in China, rolled out over 100 Gen AI features on phones this year
Chinese smartphone brand Oppo said it has rolled out over 100 generative AI capabilities to its phones this year, and has set up an AI R&D center in China to develop proprietary technologies, having filed over 5,399 patents on the emerging technology worldwide.
Vivo to take on Samsung with locally-made foldable launch
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is set to launch its first foldable smartphone, XFold3 Pro, aiming to penetrate the premium segment and compete with Samsung and Apple by offering an enhanced user experience. Assembled in India with local materials, the device will hit shelves in early July. It will be priced above Rs 1 lakh, as Vivo looks to expand its market share and cater to discerning customers seeking trust and innovation in their smartphone choices.
Cheaper 5G phones chip away at average prices
Flat Average selling prices (ASP) in the March quarter was largely due to a 22% on-year rise in shipments of mass budget phones priced at $100-200 at 16.3 million units, compared with 13.4 million units a year earlier, marking a resurgence from previous quarters.
Poco plans to sell 10 million smartphones in 2 years, aims to be among top-5 brands from third year
At the event Poco unveiled three variants of Poco F6 priced at Rs 25,999 with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB ROM storage for files, photos etc, Rs 27,999 for 12 GB RAM and 256 GB ROM variant, and Rs 29,999 for the model with 12 GB RAM and 512 GB ROM.
BIS certification must for sale of used imported electronic products: DGFT
In the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification on May 20, the Centre has specified that import of second-hand products, whether or not refurbished, repaired or reconditioned, notified under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, is prohibited unless they are registered with BIS and comply with the labelling requirement published by BIS.
Google Wallet launched in India: Step-by-step guide on how to use it; how it is different from Google Pay explained
Google Wallet: This article is about how to use Google Wallet and how different is it from Google Pay. As per Google, this wallet can be used for various utility functions like storing Air India, Indigo Airlines flight boarding pass, PVR and INOX cinema tickets. Read here to know more.
Exclusive: Flipkart maps India redux; talks on to shift domicile from Singapore
Flipkart aims to move domicile from Singapore to India for an IPO. Talks gain impetus for largest local consumer internet company to reverse flip to India. Walmart owns 85%.
Chinese smartphone companies looking to expand their footprint face a loud adversary—Indian retailers
Chinese smartphone brands face retailer backlash in India over low margins, delayed payments, and stock issues. Retailers demand higher margins and timely settlements, impacting brands' offline expansion plans in a shifting smartphone market.
For phones, Indians think China again
Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, Transsion, and Motorola, have seen their cumulative market share rise to 75% in the March quarter, despite government scrutiny. This growth is attributed to a shipment rebound by top brands like Xiaomi and Vivo after a few tepid quarters in 2023 due to low demand and inventory bottlenecks. Smaller brands like Motorola and Transsion have also expanded their footprint in the market.
Smartphone shipment volumes surge in Q1, outlook stays strong
According to market research firms Counterpoint Research and Cybermedia Research (CMR), the Indian smartphone market witnessed an increase in shipment volumes by 8-10% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2024. These market trackers anticipate further growth in the high single-digits for the remainder of the year, attributed to the trend towards premiumization and the adoption of 5G technology.
Smartphone shipments up 10% in March quarter
Counterpoint said Vivo took the lead in the smartphone market in the March quarter for the first time with 19% volume share, even as Samsung led in terms of revenue. Xiaomi was the second-largest brand, with volumes surging 28% on-year during the quarter, cornering 18.8% of the market. Samsung was number 3, by volumes.
iPads face stiff competition from Android tablets in March quarter
Following technological advancements such as 5G support, high-resolution display, stylus support and more, shipments of Android tablets in the consumer segment surged in the March quarter, which also saw easing of inventory bottlenecks. In contrast, iPad shipment growth remained nearly flat during the quarter at a time when the consumer segment grew 10% from a year earlier, according to IDC India.
Apple's Q1 smartphone shipments in China tumble 19%, data shows
Apple's China smartphone shipments declined 19% in Q1, losing market share to Huawei. Huawei's Pura 70 series launch impacted Apple. U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo commented on Huawei's chip technology."}
India harvest helps Apple offset global shipment drought
iPhone shipments in India, the world's second largest smartphone market, rose to 2.5 million units in the March quarter from 1.8 million units a year earlier, according to industry estimates.
Apple loses global leadership in phones to Samsung as iPhone shipments drop: report
According to IDC, global smartphone shipments increased 7.8% to 289.4 million units during January-March, with Samsung, at 20.8% market share, clinching the top phonemaker spot from Apple.
Why iPhone is no more the Apple of China's eyes
iPhone's China shipments have been declining for three straight months, as per a report by Bloomberg, with February sales down a staggering 33% compared to last year. This follows a 39% drop in January and a 30% decline in December. According to the report, some analysts predict this downward trend will continue throughout 2024, deepening the 24% decline Apple experienced in 2023.
Foldable phone shipments expected to double in 2024; Chinese brands challenge Samsung's dominance
Shipments of super premium foldable phones are expected to double in 2024, with new Chinese players entering the market to challenge Samsung's dominance. Samsung's market share decreased to 83% in 2023, with Motorola, Oppo, and OnePlus also in the foldable smartphone competition. Chinese brands are focusing on innovation and pricing strategies to compete with Samsung's established presence in the market.
India: Apple's wearable, laptop & tablet business fails to match iPhone's impressive growth in 2023
Apple's smartwatch business in India registered a marginal 3% growth in revenues and shipments in 2023 while iPad shipments and revenues declined 11% and 27%, respectively, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). MacBook shipments declined 37% in 2023, while revenues fell 49%. Apple desktops, however, grew 7% in shipments, the market tracker said.
China's Realme hits 200 million shipment milestone, to launch premium phones
Data from market analytics firm Counterpoint Research shows that only four companies - Vivo, Huawei, Samsung and Apple - have taken less time to ship the same number of units. In total, just 14 companies globally which have shipped over 200 million phones to date.
Samsung, Apple mobile phones help boost electronic goods exports: DGFT
Sarangi said that sectors like electronics, value-added agri products, renewable energy items like wind and solar panels and modules, and electric vehicles would help in taking the country's goods and services exports to $2 trillion by 2030.
Exports of Samsung, Apple mobile phones help boost shipments of electronic goods: DGFT
The sectors like electronics, value-added agri products, renewable energy items like solar panels and modules, and electric vehicles would help in taking the country's goods and services exports to $2 trillion by 2030.
China says it has not banned purchase, use of foreign phone brands
"China has not issued laws, regulations or policy documents that prohibit the purchase and use of foreign brand phones such as Apple's," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing when asked about the reports.
'Security concerns' detected, but no ban on purchase of Apple or foreign phones, says China
China has in recent weeks widened existing curbs on the use of iPhones by state employees, telling staff at some central government agencies to stop using their Apple mobiles at work, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Load More
