Mobile handset market grew 14.7 percent in 2012-13: Survey

Increased use of smartphones by Indian users helped the mobile handset market post revenues of Rs.35,946 crore in 2012-13 compared to Rs.31,330 crore in 2011-12, a growth of 14.7 percent, a Voice&Data survey revealed Tuesday.

The 18th annual survey 'V&D 100' covered over 30 mobile handset companies doing business in India across categories like feature phones, multimedia phones, enterprise phones and smartphones. Both multi-national and Indian mobile phone firms were surveyed for this report.

The survey revealed Korean electronics maker Samsung had dethroned Nokia from the top position. The Finnish handset maker had been holding the fort for over a decade.

"Samsung's rise in the Indian market is attributed to its rich product portfolio that was able to cater to customers of all budget categories. Samsung handset prices range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 50,"00," it said.

Samsung ended the year with revenues of Rs.11,328 crore compared to Rs.7,891 crore in 2011-12 showing a growth of 43.6 percent. The company also became the market leader with 31.5% market share, it said. Nokia, however, got 27.2 percent market share with a significant 18 percent drop in revenue.