Despite Apple's Best Efforts, iPhone Sales Fall In India
by Joe White
July 17, 2013
Despite impressive iPhone sales in India during the first fiscal quarter of 2013, one recent report notes that Apple's smartphone hasn't fared well since. In fact, from the second quarter onwards, iPhone sales have been decreasing in India, despite Apple's best efforts to maintain interest through launching local trade-in deals and cash-back offers in the country.
Capturing market share in developing nations has been on Cupertino's agenda for some time, and in India, at least, it had seemed that Apple's clever marketing strategies were working. The Economic Times (which cites IDC statistics), however, explains that this is no longer the case.
Though IDC previously noted that in India, a Q2 2013 dip in iPhone sales had indeed occurred, more concrete figures have now been revealed. Between October and December, an impressive 230,000 iPhone handsets - obviously supported by the launch of the iPhone 5 - were sold in India, while sales between January and March fell to 120,000.
In terms of Apple's smartphone market share, the iPhone's percentage fell from 4.7 percent to 2.1 percent.
Presently, Samsung dominates the smartphone market in India, and holds an impressive 40 percent share. Coincidentally, 40 percent is also the amount Apple stock has fallen by since the Cupertino, Calif. company launched its flagship handset, the iPhone 5.
Analysts believe that a new product launch will improve Apple's position overseas, and if the company is able to release a low-cost "budget" smartphone, as rumored, this will surely help. Samsung's Android-powered handsets have the advantage of price on their side, and if Apple is serious about securing market share in India, a less expensive iPhone model could be a necessity.
India is, of course, an important market for the company. Strategy Analytics estimates that some 10 million smartphones were sold during the first three months of 2013, making India the third-largest smartphone market (behind the United States and China).
We'll keep you updated with further information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, see: Updated iCab Mobile Web Browser Lets You Open Apps Using Predefined Gestures, Despicable Me: Minion Rush Runs Into First Ever Despicable Update, and T-Mobile CEO: Customers Pay More, Get Less With AT&T Next.
