There is no doubt that Android devices command dominant position in India, but Microsoft must have heaved a sigh of relief that despite drubbings of Windows smartphones in majority of markets, it is still popular in India courtesy of Nokia brand name, which is selling Lumia range of smartphones available across a broad price spectrum.
Nokia is selling seven Windows Phone in India, which include the Nokia Lumia 520, 620, 625, 720, 820, 920 and 925. Each of these phones brings together the best of Windows Phone including Office, Xbox Live, SkyDrive, Windows Phone Store, among others. Along with Nokia’s signature experiences such as Nokia Drive, Nokia Music and Nokia City Lens, Windows Phones deliver the best value.
As per the IDC Asia Pacific Mobile Phone Tracker (April – June, 2013), released in August 2013, it has been revealed that for the third consecutive quarter, Windows Phone is the second most widely used smartphone platform in India. With a market share of 5.4%, Windows Phone has maintained its lead over competing platforms – namely, Apple iOS and Blackberry.
This study has further revealed that :
- For the third consecutive quarter, Windows Phones emerged as the #2 smartphone OS in India
- At 60% quarter-on-quarter growth, Windows Phone outgrew the smartphone market and was among the fastest growing smartphone operating systems
- Q2 CY13 was the fastest growth quarter for Windows Phone – in terms of both volume and market share
“Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia devices have achieved a striking growth in their volumes within a very short time since their launch in India. With new Windows Phone devices getting launched at short intervals, we expect them to continue on this growth trajectory,” said Manasi Yadav, Senior Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC India.
Vineet Durani, Director – Windows Phone Business Group, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Less than ten months back, when we launched Windows Phone 8 in India, we had set ourselves the goal of being the second most widely used smartphone platform in India, and we are excited to have achieved this milestone so quickly.”
We have a great device line up, as well as an amazing app experience delivered through the Windows Phone Store. Together with the inherent strengths of the Windows Phone platform, the overall end-consumer experience is unique and immersive, which is driving this amazing uptake and will help us scale further,” he further commented.
