Apple Attains No. 6 Position in India's 30 Cities Leaving behind Xiaomi
BENGALURU: Apple, which was upstaged by Xiaomi in the world's largest smartphone market China last year, has struck back in the world's fastest-growing market. Apple topped the premium price division ranging above 
20,000 by gaining over 42 percent of market share in 30 cities after the launch of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in the first half of the quarter and after the prices of its previous models reduced, said International Data Corporation (IDC), as reported by Gulveen Aulakh, ET Bureau.
Apple captured the 6th position in market share in 30 top cities of India that make 51 percent of the smartphone demand market, leaving behind Xiaomi. The maker of iPhone also managed to grab No. 6 spot in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities that are held strongly by the conventional Indian sellers and are more price sensitive.
IDC classifies Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru as tier-1 cities and other 25 cities are included in tier-2 and tier-3 respectively. Apple earned 4.4 percent share in 30 cities while Samsung Electronics and Micromax Informatics are at the top two spots. Apple is at the sixth place with 2.8 percent share in tier-2 and tier-3. Xiaomi gained 4.5 percent share in 30 cities.
"Smartphone consumers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are becoming more aware and demanding devices with latest features, specifications, affordable prices and convenient buying options," says Jaideep Mehta, Managing Director, IDC South Asia. These lower-tier cities make up 21% of the Indian smartphone market, the second-largest after China by unique users, and constitute more than two-thirds of the sub-$100 (Rs 6,800) segment.
Apple did not look at India as a large market until few years before, but now it is planning to develop its own stores and offering buybacks, multiple discounts and upgrades to lure more consumers.
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