Indian Mobile Brands Begin Challenging The Biggies

[faizone 15]

Source

If large traditional mobile phone companies were being tormented by relatively new comers like Apple and RIM in the west, there seems to be a similar event unfolding in India but at the lower-end of the price spectrum.

Of late, a barrage of new homegrown mobile phone manufacturers have entered the vast Indian mobile phones market which is undoubtedly, one of the largest in the world. With cellphone connections still relatively low here as compared to most other countries, these companies see immense potential in India. This, coupled with India's obsession with the value-for-money tag, seems to be slowly causing a gradual shift in the market.

While India was a price conscious market, it was also known to be very brand centric. People trusted brands rather than products and the notion that Nokia makes good quality, well priced phones still holds strong. However, the new Indian consumer looks beyond brands now and has started focusing more on the value-for-money factor.

This has come to light in a recent survey by Voice&Data which highlights that homegrown, local manufacturers are starting to eat into the market share of the traditional biggies. In fact, Indian handset makers have garnered a respectable 14 percent market share in the country this financial year. This, compared to the 4 percent share in the last year, is an indication of how fast these companies grow. Nokia, a dominant brand in India, lost a whopping 12 percent market share during the past year. New players like Micromax, Spice Mobiles, Lemon, Max and Lava now have significant market share in various parts of the country. In terms of numbers, Micromax now has a 4.1 percent of the market, Spice Mobiles juts a few notches down at 3.9 percent. Karbonn and Lava had a 3 and 1 percent each.

Nokia continues to lose the grip to the advantage of Samsung who is the second largest phone manufacturer in India with 17.4 percent of the market in the previous financial year. LG grabbed the third spot with 5.9 percent while Sony Ericsson continued its downward trend.

[parin 857]

Seems Motorola has lost and out of competition

[raccoon 53]

The biggies like Nokia seem to be lagging big time and are totally out of sync with the market, at least when it comes to the low end and to an extent the mid range segment also. Smaller brands which cost less than half have way more features (both software and hardware) in their handsets along with better battery life, etc., etc.

Edited June 30, 2010 by raccoon

[parin 857]

On retailer told Nokia is coming back with CDMA handsets

as 1importer has started importing CDMA Nokia in Delhi @7000 with all accesories & nokia warranty

[kshah 452]

local brand phones are really very well built. Only area they are lacking is firmware quality. Else they give best value for money.

[me_saket 73]

From last 2-3 year,

Preference to nokia, sony has reduced,

And i also advised my frnd, good and beter handset coming in market from

Micromax, karbonn, maxx, and spice. and lastly nokia

[kk999 25]

On retailer told Nokia is coming back with CDMA handsets

as 1importer has started importing CDMA Nokia in Delhi @7000 with all accesories & nokia warranty

which nokia handset??

[sgiitk 32]

I am intrigued by the term Indian brands. How many are made in India and how many use the now famous Sticker Technology?

[raccoon 53]

I was wondering about the same! Why is everyone calling re-branded Chinese stuff as "India Brands"?

[parin 857]

On retailer told Nokia is coming back with CDMA handsets

as 1importer has started importing CDMA Nokia in Delhi @7000 with all accesories & nokia warranty

which nokia handset??

Nokia 6265

[aalok 442]

i think its Nokia 6275