Samsung Still On Top But Micromax Catching Up Fast: IDC

Although Samsung is still on top in the multi-billion dollar Indian smartphone market, it may not hold on to the top spot long as the homegrown handset maker Micromax offers a tough challenge to the Korean giant.

As per research firm IDC, Samsung had a 29% share of the Indian smartphone market in the April-June 2014 quarter. The company had a 35% share in the previous quarter.

Whereas Micromax’s market share has grown grow from 15% in Q1 of 2014 to 18% in the second quarter.

"While Samsung has held on to its leadership position in the market, it is noteworthy that Micromax is growing faster. Samsung needs to continue to address the low-end of the market aggressively, and also needs a blockbuster product at the high end to regain momentum," IDC vice-president and general manager, South Asia, Jaideep said.

"Micromax not only toppled Nokia to clinch the second spot, but also created a gap between the second and the third spot," IDC said.

"Micromax became the leading mobile phone supplier brand in India in Q2 of 2014 for the first time ever, surpassing Samsung, capturing 17% market share up from 13% in Q1 of 2014," Counterpoint Research said.