Chinese brands captured 29pc of B’desh handset market

Chinese Smartphone Companies grew 125 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) and captured 29 percent of the Bangladesh handset market in the third quarter this year -- up from 13 percent in the same period last year -- market research firm Counterpoint Research said on Saturday.

“As smartphone penetration in the country increases, local brands, which are losing market share to the Chinese brands, are positioning themselves as best-placed to tailor products to local needs and preferences,” said Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research.

Local manufacturer Symphony Mobile remained the top handset player in Bangladesh with 26 percent market share, but its sales declined 24 percent annually owing to tough competition from players like iTel and Nokia. South Korean giant Samsung was able to maintain its second position in the smartphone segment with 14 percent market share. Chinese player Huawei clinched the third spot in the smartphone segment with 8.5 percent market share in the third quarter. 

Walton was the only other Bangladesh brand to be featured in the top five smartphone brands list, achieving 8.3 percent market share. Another Chinese player iTel, at number five, captured 6.9 percent share of the smartphone market. The Bangladesh handset market grew 19 percent (Y-o-Y) and one percent sequentially. Smartphone shipments contributed to 24 percent of the total mobile phone shipments, signalling a slow but steady adoption of smartphones.

Source: IANS