Smartphone sales seen up in June quarter

KOLKATA: Smartphone sales in the country are estimated to have marginally grown during April-June after sales decline for two consecutive quarters, thanks to aggressive promotions and attractive discounts.

Estimates by various market trackers suggest that around 16 million smartphones were shipped in the country during April-May. When the June numbers are added, the quarterly sale will almost certainly overtake last year’s April-June quarter shipment of 20 million smartphones.

Market trackers will unveil their reports in a week’s time.

The rise in sales comes on the back of 8%-10% decline on a quarter-to-quarter basis during January-March.

Counterpoint Research senior telecom analyst Tarun Pathak said he expects marginal growth in smartphone sales in April-June due to aggressive discounting and offers by the brands, retailers and e-commerce firms to clear out inventory. “The sales has been more due to push by the brands rather than a consumer pull,” he said.

During the quarter, all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Sony and Motorola, dropped their model prices. Top online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal had run multiple sales in phases during the quarter.

Analysts say it is to pave the way to clear unsold inventory with several launches lined up ahead of the festive season.

In January-March quarter, smartphone sales had declined 8% over the preceding quarter as per estimates by Counterpoint Research. The overall mobile phone market in India too declined 15% quarter-on-quarter during the last quarter.

This was the second consecutive quarter where total mobile phone shipments in India had registered a decline.