Strategy Analytics: India Becomes World's 3rd Largest Smartphone Market in Q1 2013

BOSTON, June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, India overtook Japan to become the world's third largest smartphone market by volume for the first time ever in Q1 2013. Samsung, Micromax and Apple are among the major brands leading the Indian smartphone market.

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Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "We estimate 10.0 million smartphones were shipped in India during the first quarter of 2013, almost tripling from 3.8 million units a year earlier. India overtook Japan to become the world's third largest smartphone market by volume for the first time ever in Q1 2013, following China and the United States."

Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, "India is growing four times faster than the global average. Worldwide smartphone shipments expanded 39% year-over-year, compared with 163% YoY across India, during Q1 2013. The Indian smartphone market is rising quicker than China (86% YoY), Japan (24% YoY), the US (19% YoY) and almost all other major countries."

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "India is the new China. India is a low-penetration, high-growth market that no smartphone vendor, component maker or apps developer can afford to ignore. Key brands driving the smartphone boom in India include foreign firms such as Samsung and Apple. But it is domestic players who are seeing the fastest growth. For example, we estimate Micromax, Karbonn and Spice are growing between 200 and 500 percent on an annual basis."

Exhibit 1: India and Global Smartphone Shipments in Q1 2013

The full report, India Becomes World's 3rd Largest Smartphone Market in Q1 2013, is published by the Strategy Analytics Handset Country Share Tracker (HCST) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/le4rut3.

About Strategy Analytics:

Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

Americas Contact:
Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / LSui@strategyanalytics.com

EMEA Contact:
Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / NMawston@strategyanalytics.com

Asia Contact:
Neil Shah / +1 617 614 0727 / NShah@strategyanalytics.com

SOURCE Strategy Analytics