iBall Replaces Samsung as the Top Tablet Vendor in India: IDC Report

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the home-bred tablet and smartphone vendor iBall replaces Samsung in the Indian tablet market in the fourth quarter of the 2014.

Samsung was pushed down to the second spot with 12.9% of the market share as against a 17.9% share in Q4 2013. iBall grew from 4.5% to 15.6% share in the same quarter last year.

IDC says the credit for iBall’s growth goes to its low cost products targeted at consumers looking to own entry-level form factors. The brand is actively engaged in expanding its retail presence as well as geographical reach.

The top five was shared by Datawind in third place with 9.6% market share, Lenovo with 9.4% share and HP with 8.7% market share.

According to the market research firm, the India tablet market reported shipments of 0.96 million units in the fourth quarter, a quarter-on-quarter growth of 3.6%.

“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 1H 2013 and hence resulting in year-on-year decline in growth,” Tanvi Mann, market analyst, Client Devices IDC India, said in a statement.

As of form factors, IDC found 7-inch tablets priced at $150 were doing well in the market and will continue the same in future. While Android dominates, the vendors are considering the 8-9 inch Microsoft Windows OS based form factor.

Wi-fi enabled tablets have experienced a major drop in shipments, while connected tablets have improved — accounting for 60% of the total shipments in the fourth quarter.

“The consumer space will continue to be led by the local brands and we may see re-entry of some of the older players in the top five vendor list. On a yearly basis, we expect 2015 to post single digit growth over 2014,” the firm added.

via: ET telecom