Vivo has claimed the top spot as the best-selling smartphone brand in India for the third quarter of 2024, surpassing Xiaomi. This shift comes amidst favorable conditions in the Indian smartphone market, which grew by 9% in Q3 2024, reaching 47.1 million units, according to a report by market research firm Canalys. The growth was attributed to inventory clearance driven by early monsoon sales across both online and offline platforms, positioning brands for the upcoming festive season.
Vivo’s Rise to the Top
In the three months leading up to September, Vivo shipped 9.1 million units, reflecting a 26% year-over-year increase and capturing a 19% share of the Indian smartphone market. This is up from the 17% market share and 7.2 million units shipped during the same period last year. Vivo’s success was fueled by an expanded online portfolio and strong offline presence, which helped boost its sales.
Xiaomi Falls to Second Place
Xiaomi, which previously held the top spot, dropped to second place with 7.8 million units shipped in Q3 2024—a modest 3% increase from the 7.6 million units shipped in the same period last year. Despite the slight growth in shipments, Xiaomi’s market share fell from 18% in Q3 2023 to 17% in Q3 2024, causing it to lose its leading position to Vivo.
Samsung in Third Place
Once the dominant player in India, Samsung saw a decline in both shipments and market share, ranking third in Q3 2024. The brand shipped 7.5 million units, down 4% from the 7.9 million units shipped in Q3 2023. Its market share also dipped from 18% to 16% over the same period.
Oppo Sees Maximum Growth
Oppo, another brand under BBK Electronics, registered the highest year-over-year growth, with a 43% increase in shipments. The company shipped 6.3 million units, securing a 13% market share in Q3 2024, compared to 4.4 million units and a 10% share in the same period last year. This growth was driven by the expansion of Oppo’s online offerings, particularly with the T3 and K12 series, which bolstered its presence beyond its traditional offline channels.
Realme Declines in Shipments
Realme, Oppo’s spin-off, experienced an 8% decline in shipments, falling to 5.3 million units in Q3 2024, down from 5.8 million units in Q3 2023. Its market share decreased from 13% to 11%, reflecting the brand’s ongoing challenges.
Other Brands Gaining Traction
Outside the top five brands, Apple, Motorola, Google, and Nothing saw strong performance. Apple drove significant volumes with its iPhone 15 sales, particularly in smaller cities ahead of the iPhone 16 launch. Brands like Motorola and Google benefitted from their unique designs, clean user interfaces, and expanded channel strategies, contributing to their growing presence in the Indian market.
This reshuffling of the smartphone rankings highlights the competitive nature of the Indian market as brands continue to innovate and adjust their strategies to meet consumer demands ahead of the festive season.
