Samsung to launch more mobile phones in current year

Bq: We have gained market share since January this year, which is largely propelled by the innovation in the new phones and a slew of new launches. But we are not restricting innovation to smartphones and rather expanding it in feature phones and tablets as well — Manu Sharma, director, mobile business, samsung

Ruchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 27

Innovation in smartphones and expanding the product portfolio across all segments is the USP of Samsung India, as it remains firm on its market share in the highly competitive mobile devices market.

Having already launched 17 new phones in various segments this year, right from the feature phones to the 4G segment, the company says there is more on offer during the current year. The momentum in product launches will continue, says the company’s Director, Mobile Business, Manu Sharma.

Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of soft launch of new Samsung S6 Edge Plus smartphone, Sharma said Samsung’s market share in the smartphone category was 40%. “We have gained market share since January this year, which is largely propelled by the innovation in the new phones and a slew of new launches. The customer interest is aroused with the new launches, which also helps in growth. But we are not restricting innovation to smartphones and rather expanding it in feature phones and tablets as well,” he said.

Of the 17 new launches, Samsung has launched 15 new 4G products (including tablets).

He said India is one of the fastest growing markets in mobile devices and within India, Punjab and Chandigarh is one of the top markets for the company.

“In India, the market is growing at 20% and on a monthly basis, the market is around 15 million units, of which 10 million units comprise feature phones. But in value terms, the smartphone market is 85% of the total market. Thus, our strategy is to concentrate on all categories of phones,” he said.

He said though large screen phones had taken the sheen away from the tablets, the company is looking at ways to rev up this segment as well.

He said though sale of mobiles through e-commerce platforms was increasing phenomenally (with over 12% of phones sold online), the company was concentrating equally on online and offline sales network. “We continue to remain focused on the offline market as well, with Samsung having 2,100 exclusive stores and 1,50,000 outlets for distribution,” he said.