The premium segment of the smartphone market grew faster in the two weeks of Navratri and Dussehra than in the previous two weeks of Shraddh, says Growth for Knowledge, a global leader in data and analytics.
However, other smartphone categories grew faster during Dhanteras and Diwali periods.
Smartphone sales increased by 40 percent during Navratri and Dussehra compared to the Shradh period. The premium segment and 5G-enabled devices are responsible for most of this growth, the report said.
5G devices grew by 51 percent and accounted for 48 percent of the market during Navratri and Dussehra, compared to a 24 percent contribution during the same festival period last year. The total revenue contribution from 5G devices was about 75 percent by value during this period.
A 41 percent increase in smartphone volume was observed during Dhanteras and Diwali weeks compared to Navratri and Dussehra periods.
The sub-Rs 15,000 segment grew the most, with volumes up over 50 percent and contributing 24 percent to the overall smartphone universe. These smartphones contributed 34 percent in the same period last year.
“The premium smartphone segment during the festival period (the segment over 40,000 rupees) grew by 60 percent. Total smartphone revenue grew 38 percent, with 6- to 6.5-inch screen sizes contributing 54 percent of value and growing 41 percent this year during the Navratri and Dussehra versus Shradh season,” said Anant Jain, Head of Market Intelligence , India at GfK.
The GfK report also shows that sales of 4G devices rose 48 percent during Dhanteras and Diwali, while 5G rose just 32 percent, indicating manufacturers are clearing 4G-enabled inventory through support programs.
During the same period, devices with 6.5-7 inch screens grew faster, by about 61 percent, and contributed 50 percent to the overall smartphone category.