Samsung Eyes Top Slot In Mobiles

Samsung Electronics is expecting to regain the top slot in the sale of mobile handsets in the Indian market from Xiaomi, driven by new device launches, including its online-only M-series phone range, a senior company official said.

Addressing the media, Samsung Electronics president and CEO (IT & mobile communications division) D.J. Koh, however, stressed that Samsung remained a market leader in the mobile segment in terms of revenue.

“They [Xiaomi] are number one in terms of shipment, but in terms of revenue, Samsung is a dominant number one in Indian market, not only in the fourth quarter of last year but also in the entire 2018, Samsung was number one,” Mr. Koh said. “But in terms of number of devices as shipment, I want to bring back my position of being Number 1. We must make products affordable as well as pack in innovation… I think M series will support volume in India,” he added.

Samsung, had, earlier this year, launched its online-only smartphones — the M series — with initial three devices priced in the sub-Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 10,000-20,000 segments.

Market challenges

On the challenges in the Indian market, Mr. Koh said: “… the risk is competitors. When the competitors are working, if there is anything to learn, we learn from them…but sometimes they are faster than us… and if it is accepted by local consumers, that’s a risk.”

The firm which on Wednesday launched its Galaxy S10 line in India, priced between Rs. 55,900 and Rs. 1,17,900, usually cites GfK data for market share which puts it in the number one spot in the Indian market. On the other hand, reports from firms such as IDC and Counterpoint have been positioning Xiaomi at the top.

Asked if Samsung would introduce ‘Galaxy Fold’ in the Indian market, Mr. Koh said that India was the most important market “not only in terms of investment but in terms of long-term commitment. Why won’t I deliver my latest technology here, I will.”―The Hindu