Strong rural demand and premiumization to propel India’s smartphone industry in 2025: Samsung
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Synopsis
Samsung's JB Park announces that robust rural demand and a rise in premium smartphone sales will drive the Indian smartphone market in 2025. A significant expansion of offline presence in rural areas is planned to enhance consumer experience.
Key Takeaways
- Rural markets are set to drive smartphone demand.
- Premium segment continues to grow rapidly.
- Galaxy S24 achieved record flagship sales.
- Samsung aims to expand experience centers in rural areas.
- Samsung Finance+ will facilitate rural smartphone sales.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) The smartphone market in India is poised for significant growth this year, driven by strong demand from rural areas and a notable surge in the premium segment, according to Samsung Southwest Asia President and CEO, JB Park, in a statement on Wednesday.
The impressive rise in premium smartphone sales in the country has enabled original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Samsung and Apple to achieve double-digit growth.
"The year 2024 was exceptional for Samsung. Our initiatives to make premium experiences accessible have paid off, with the Galaxy S24 setting a record for flagship sales in India," Park noted.
"We anticipate that 2025 will be even more successful for India's smartphone sector. We are optimistic that the Galaxy S25 will become even more favored than the S24 series," he added.
Rural market demand is expected to facilitate the acceptance of premium smartphones this year.
The company plans to enhance its offline presence significantly in rural markets, allowing consumers to experience the new AI capabilities that are a major attraction of its latest Galaxy series.
"In numerous Indian rural towns, I observe that consumers are increasingly focused on experiences. Nowadays, everything can be found on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where products can be viewed virtually," Park explained.
"Our approach involves establishing experience centers in smaller towns, particularly in rural areas, where individuals can walk in, and our sales personnel can assist consumers in exploring and experiencing the technology," he added.
The South Korean conglomerate aims to double its economy experience stores to 800 by the end of 2025. Samsung Finance+, the company's proprietary lending platform, will play a crucial role in enhancing rural sales, he mentioned.
"In regions such as Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North-east, many states exhibit over a 60% to 70% 'attach rate' with our Samsung Finance+ to cater to these demands," Park highlighted.
