India's Smartphone Market Grows 11.5% in Q1 2024: IDC

India's smartphone market saw shipments grow 11.5% year-on-year to 34 million units in the first quarter of 2024, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth, according to data from market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

Apple, Vivo, and Xiaomi led the market during this period, contributing significantly to the rise in smartphone shipments. The premium and super-premium segments, led by new iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, performed strongly despite an overall slowdown.

The entry-level segment (below $100) declined by 14% as consumers moved to higher-priced smartphones. However, the mass market $100-200 segment grew 22%, capturing nearly half the market. Vivo maintained its top position, while Xiaomi and Samsung rounded out the top three players in this segment.

The super-premium $800+ category witnessed the highest growth of 44%, increasing its market share from 7% to 9%. Apple dominated with the iPhone 14/15 series, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S23 devices.

Overall, 5G adoption increased substantially, with 23 million 5G smartphones shipped, up from 15 million in Q1 2023. Key players like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Samsung aggressively pushed for affordable 5G models, driving growth.

IDC Associate Vice President of Devices Research Navkendar Singh commented on the results, saying, "The first few months of the year have provided momentum for the smartphone market in India. However, the second half of the year will be crucial. IDC estimates a modest overall annual growth in the mid-single digits for 2024."