Samsung Electronics aims to reclaim its leadership position in India's smartphone market by launching affordable new products in early 2025. According to reports from Sam Mobile and SE Daily, the company will introduce the Galaxy F16 5G smartphone in India in the first quarter of 2025. The Galaxy F series specifically targets developing markets like India and Bangladesh.
While detailed specifications remain undisclosed, industry sources indicate the Galaxy F16 will feature a triple camera, a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, and a 5,000mAh battery. The device will be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 6300+ processor and offer a broader color range compared to its predecessor.
Market competition intensifies
According to Canalys data, Vivo led India's smartphone market with a 19% share in the third quarter of 2024, followed by Xiaomi at 17%, while Samsung held third place with 16%. Industry analysts view this new product launch as part of Samsung's strategy to regain market leadership.
Tablet market success
Samsung's performance in the Indian tablet sector has shown notable progress. Data from Canalys and Chosun Biz show Samsung's market share reached 39.8% in the third quarter of 2024, increasing 12.4% from the previous year. This growth was partly driven by the company's successful bid for a Uttar Pradesh government initiative that provides students with tablets. Since 2021, the program has distributed tablets and smartphones to 4.6 million students, with plans for expansion into other regions.
Samsung's established manufacturing presence in Uttar Pradesh and comprehensive production capacity provide it with a competitive advantage in tablet distribution bids over rivals like Acer, which only conducts final assembly in India. Despite facing a global decline in tablet market share to 17.9% in the third quarter of 2024, Samsung continues to focus on affordable models to strengthen its position in India. However, as economic standards rise, a gradual shift toward high-end models suggests the need for Samsung to consider developing a premium product strategy.