Domestic devices firm iBall has de-throned Korean technology giant Samsung as the top tablet seller in the Indian market in the quarter ended December 2014, according to global research firm IDC.
The Mumbai-based iBall had a 15.6 per cent share of the tablet shipments in India in the October-December quarter during which the total shipments were 0.96 million units, as per IDC’s latest quarterly estimates.
“iBall rapidly climbed up its way to the No 1 spot in this quarter. From a 4.5 per cent share in Q4 2013, the brand has more than tripled its share in Q4 2014,” IDC said in a statement.
The data showed that Samsung’s share had declined to 12.9 per cent in the October-December quarter, 2014, from 22.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2013.
However, a Samsung spokesperson said the company continues to be a “clear leader” in the Indian tablet market.
“Based on our experience and success, we anticipate incredible opportunities in the growing Indian tablet market. The company drives the tablet market in India and we foresee our sales to continue to grow robustly in 2015,” the spokesperson added.
Some of the products, like the Tab S, strategically positioned to cater to the entertainment needs of customers, have been a runaway hit in the country, the spokesperson said.
According to IDC, iBall had a 10.6 per cent share in July-September, 2014, and ranked third after Samsung and Micromax.
Its (iBall) growth is backed by low-cost products, targeted at consumers looking to own entry-level form factors, it added.
“The brand is actively engaged in expanding its retail presence as well as geographical reach … Local tablet vendors are posing stiff competition to Samsung at retail counters,” IDC said.
Micromax, which has been clashing head-to-head with the Korean firm in the smartphone segment, failed to mark a presence in the top 5 tablet vendor tally in the fourth quarter of 2014, as per IDC data. It ranked second with 10.9 per cent share in the July-September 2014.
Datawind, Lenovo and HP followed in the list with 9.6 per cent, 9.4 per cent and 8.7 per cent share, respectively.
According to IDC, the India tablet market reported a quarter-on-quarter growth of 3.6 per cent to 0.96 million units in the fourth quarter of 2014.
For calender year 2014, the shipments declined 15 per cent to 3.5 million units over 2013.
“The market saw a correction post the introduction of BIS regulation in July 2013. Unbranded tablets were wiped off from the market, thereby contracting the bubble of growth witnessed in H1 2013 and hence resulting in year-on-year decline in growth,” IDC India Market Analyst Client Devices Tanvi Mann said.
