Number of mobile handsets sold in India to reach 251 million units next year: Gartner

BANGALORE: Led by strong sales from Samsung, the number of mobile handsets sold in India will reach 251 million units next year, according to technology research and advisory firm Gartner's latest report on Thursday.

According to Gartner, the South Korea firm could end 2012 with over 60% market share in India's smartphone market if its strong growth in this segment continues. Earlier this year, Samsung had said that it expects to increase its smart phone market share in India to 60% by the end of this year.

The research firm expects India's mobile handset market to report a 13.5% growth in 2013. Aided by attractive price points and entry of new manufacturers, the handset market is expected to report steady growth through 2016, with end user sales surpassing 326 million.

"The Indian mobile phone market is very competitive with more than 150 device manufacturers selling devices to consumers. Most of these manufacturers remain focused on the low-cost feature phone market which still constitutes over 91 percent of overall mobile phone sales, offering a huge market to compete in,” said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner.

“The increase in share of smartphone device sales, declining sales to first time buyers and the continuous focus of global manufacturers on the low cost feature phone market, has put many of the 150 plus local and Chinese device manufacturers under survival mode. Many of them are already struggling to maintain share in the growing market," Gupta added.