A few years back Xiaomi was taken as just another Chinese Mobile manufacturer in India. But, taking the advantage of the Indian Government’s “Make in India” initiation, the company has established itself as a leading manufacturer in India. And a recent report suggests, Xiaomi overtakes Samsung as the top smartphone vendor in India.

According to the Canalys, the Xiaomi has shipped about 8.2 million units compared to Samsung 7.3 million smartphones in Q4 2017. That means the Xiaomi’s market share for the quarter fourth was 27% whereas the Samsung’s share was 25% only. However, even though the Samsung has 17% of annual growth, it failed to maintain its top position.

The two vendors combined together command more than 50% of the smartphone market in India

“Samsung’s loss comes from its inability to transform its low-cost product portfolio,” said Rushabh Doshi, Analyst. The Samsung was unable to win over cost-conscious consumers, losing market share in the sub-INR- 15000 segment to Xiaomi quarter after quarter.

Even though Xiaomi overtakes Samsung on Q4 2017, the new year has just started, so we have to give some time. Moreover, point to consider, the smartphone shipments reports form market research firms are not accurate, they are based on unofficial sources, which has high chances of incomplete or false data.

Furthermore, the Samsung denies it. As per the German research firm GfK, in the last quarter, Samsung had a 45% value market share and 40% volume market share, told a Samsung India spokesperson.

Together, the two vendors command more than 50% of the smartphone market in India. The key reason for the success of Xiaomi is the opportunity to produce the smartphone locally in India. The success of Xiaomi in India will give a big boost to its overseas ambitions.

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