Despite the slowing economy, Samsung captured a higher smartphone market share globally in 2022 than the previous year. Now, its smartphone shipment numbers for Q4 2022 and full-year 2022 have been revealed for the Indian market. The company defeated its rival Xiaomi to become India's biggest smartphone brand.
Samsung defeated Xiaomi in Q4 2022 to become India's biggest smartphone brand
According to market research firm Canalys, Samsung shipped 6.7 million smartphones in India in Q4 2022. Its market share was 21%, up from 19% in Q4 2021. However, it shipped fewer smartphones during the quarter due to the global economic downturn and recession. Still, it managed to outdo its rivals, including Vivo, Xiaomi, OPPO, Realme, and others.
Vivo ranked second with a 20% market share, while Xiaomi ranked third with a 17% market share. OPPO and Realme had 17% and 8% market shares, respectively, in Q4 2022. The whole Indian smartphone market dropped a whopping 27% in the last quarter of 2022 compared to 2021.
When you look at the bigger picture, Xiaomi shipped more smartphones than Samsung during the entire year of 2022. It shipped 29.6 million smartphones and had a 20% market share. In comparison, Samsung shipped 28.6 million smartphones and had a 19% market share. Xiaomi shipped 26% fewer smartphones compared to 2021, while Samsung shipped 5% fewer smartphones. It means that Samsung did a lot better than Xiaomi in 2022.
Thanks to its 25.4 million smartphone shipments, Vivo's market share was 17% in India in 2022. OPPO's and Realme's market shares were 15% and 14%, respectively. OPPO's overall yearly shipments improved by 8% compared to 2021, while Realme had a 14% drop. India's overall smartphone market slid 6% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the smartphone market will stay mostly flat, and smartphone brands are expected to face troubles due to rising inflation and the ongoing economic downturn. Most smartphone brands, including Samsung, will focus on profitability and could increase smartphone prices.
