Here is how Samsung regained market leadership title from Xiaomi in Q2 2018

After falling short of Xiaomi's market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29% market share, one per cent more than that of Xiaomi in the second quarter of 2018

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has toppled Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi as the leading smartphone brand in India, according to the Hong Kong-based Counterpoint report. After falling short of Xiaomi’s market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29 per cent market share, one per cent more than Xiaomi’s 28 per cent market share in the second quarter of 2018.

“The success of Samsung during the quarter can be attributed to its refreshed J-series; it launched more models than any other brand across multiple price points during the quarter. These new launches have some of the most popular and sought-after features like dual cameras, 18.5:9 aspect ratio display and facial unlock. Additionally, the strong offline distribution and aggressive marketing campaign around its J-series helped Samsung to gain not only market share but also mindshare during the quarter,” said Karn Chauhan, a research analyst at Counterpoint.

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The report also highlights that Apple managed to capture only a mere one per cent market share during the quarter, its lowest in recent history. The OnePlus, on the other hand, became the fastest growing premium smartphone brand with the growth of a whopping 284 per cent in the quarter. It also became the top premium smartphone brand in more than Rs 30,000 segment.

Here are the key highlights of the report:

• In the smartphone segment, Samsung regained its lead in Q2 2018 with 29 per cent market share -- thanks to strong performance of models such as the Galaxy J6, Galaxy J2 2018 and Galaxy J4 focusing on the budget segment.
• Xiaomi recorded its highest ever shipments in India during the same quarter.
• Vivo shipments increased sequentially driven by new launches, celebrity endorsement and aggressive campaign around IPL 2018.Its V9 model became its most popular V-series smartphone ever.
• During the quarter, OPPO launched its sub-brand Realme in a bid to increase its online presence. Realme, which debuted in partnership with Amazon, quickly managed to grab 1 per cent market share of the total smartphone market due to strong-perceived value-for-money, unique industrial design and positive customer feedback for its initial model.
• OnePlus (284 per cent), Honor (188 per cent) and Xiaomi (112 per cent) were the fastest growing smartphone brands during the quarter. Honor continues to retain its share among top five brands while OnePlus led the premium (more than Rs 30,000) segment for the first time ever.

Article Source : BS

Oppo F7 with 25MP AI selfie camera launched: Know price, specifications

The phone would be available in two storage and RAM variants - 64GB/4GB and 128GB/6GB. Price starts at Rs 21,990

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo Mobiles has launched the Oppo F7 in India at a starting price of Rs 21,990. The selfie-centric smartphone boasts a 19:9 aspect ratio screen, artificial intelligence-based camera filters and a mammoth 25-megapixel selfie camera.

In terms of specifications, the Oppo F7 sports a 6.23-inch fullHD+ (2210 x 1080p) screen, with a notch on top, in the 19:9 aspect ratio. It features a MediaTek Helios P60 processor, coupled with the company’s NeuroPilot AI technology. Powering the device is a 3,400 mAh battery. In terms of imaging, the Oppo F7 has a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 25MP high dynamic range (HDR)-enabled front camera assisted by AI.

The selfie camera supports artificial reality-based stickers, along with an enhanced beauty mode.

On the feature side, the phone boots Oppo’s proprietary ColourOS 5.0 based on Google Android 8.0. The Oppo F7 will come with the face unlock feature, along with a fingerprint scanner capable of recognising wet fingers, too. Powering the device is a 3,400mAh battery. The phone would be available in two storage and RAM variants – 64GB/4GB and 128GB/6GB.The phone would go on sale starting April 9. However, there would be a flash sale exclusively on Flipkart and offline retail stores on February 2 with limited stocks.

Here are some of the features of the Oppo F7

• Facial unlock
• 16 AI-based scene recognition
• 16MP rear camera with portrait mode and vivid colour
• 25MP selfie camera
• AI-backed camera features
• Group selfie beautification
• Live video beautification
• AR stickers
• Full screen multitasking (pop-up)

Oppo to set up Rs 2,200-cr smartphone manufacturing unit in Greater Noida

Domestic smartphone maker is looking to begin export of phones made in India in the next 2-3 years

Smartphone maker Oppo Mobiles is planning to invest around Rs 2,200 crore in India for a mobile phone manufacturing facility. The proposed investment will be at Greater Noida.

The company has submitted documents related to the proposed project to the Environment Ministry and said that the net amount required for the establishment of the second unit in Uttar Pradesh includes land as well as development costs.

The project is expected to be a self-sufficient manufacturing establishment, spreading across an area of 110.04 acres.

In its response to a set of questions posed by the Business Standard, Oppo said its other assembly unit in Noida, which began production in July 2016, has reached full capacity and plans were being firmed up for the setting up of a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing facility at Greater Noida in the state.

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An SMT unit produces printed circuit boards of an electronic device on which various circuits are embedded that allow the basic functioning of the device.

At present, most companies, assemble phones from semi-knocked down (SKD) mobile phone modules or kits. SMT is part of the completely knocked down (CKD) phase of assembling, wherein a handset-maker imports individual components in a CKD form and assembles them in India. This takes manufacturing a step up from SKD.

In the next 2-3 years, in line with company's plan, Oppo will begin exporting phones manufactured in India to West Asia, North Africa and other South Asian markets. Currently, the products are offered restricted to Indian consumers. (more)