India to become the second biggest smartphone market by 2019

According to a latest report by market research firm Strategy Analytics, India will surpass the US to become the second largest smartphone market by 2019.

Strategy Analytics reported that global smartphone sales will grow 13 percent in 2015. The world's top 20 countries will account for 80% of the global smartphone volumes in 2015, up from 75% in 2007.

The report highlighted that Asia Pacific will continue to drive growth, accounting for nearly 54 percent of the global volumes in 2015. Africa Middle East and Central Latin America will see strong smartphone growth by 2020 and will play the role of a new growth engine for global market, the report added.

"China and US will remain the largest smartphone sales countries by 2014, making up 43 percent of global volumes," the report said.

Electronic giants are focusing on emerging markets like India with budget and mid-range smartphone offerings. Google has recently launched the Android One program in India and plans to spend over Rs 100 Crore on marketing and advertising. Google has launched Android One phones in partnership with Micromax, Spice and Karbonn starting from Rs 6,399 to tap into the budget segment and first time smartphone users. According to reports Android One sales in India may exceed 2 million by 2014 end. Motorola which entered the Indian market earlier this year has sold over 6.5 million smartphones in its first quarter and over 8.6 million smartphones in the second quarter. 

A Google India report has stated that India will soon have over more internet users than US by 2014 end. The report highlights that India adds about 5 million internet users every month and will reach over 500 million users by 2018. 

Source: TOI