Smartphone sales have decreased by three per cent in India in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to a report of Gfk, research organisation. The report says that the proliferation of low-end feature phones might be responsible for the low smartphone sales.
“Emerging Asia saw smartphone sales of 58.6 million units in 4Q17, down one percent year-on-year. This was dragged by a three percent decline in India, where a proliferation of low-priced 4G feature phones likely cannibalized smartphone sales,” said Gfk in a report.
Global smartphone average sales price sees record year-on-year growth in 4Q17, the report added without revealing the country wise sales figure.
Emerging Asia region includes India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand.
Globally, smartphone sales reached 397 million units in the fourth quarter of 2017 (4Q17), a one percent increase year-on-year.
Demand in the fourth quarter was primarily driven by Middle East and Africa, which experienced 8 per cent growth, and Central and Eastern Europe, where demand grew 7 per cent.
For the entire 2017, smartphone sales totalled 1.46 billion units and generated revenue of USD 479 billion.
In India, the feature phones get renewed push after the entry of Reliance Jio. The Mukesh Ambani LED company has came out with JioPhone – an affordable 4G feature phone. Other manufacturers and operators too have come out with their 4G feature phones which have rekindled life into the feature phone segment.