Samsung Expands Online Smartphone Range In India To Woo Holiday Shoppers

Samsung, once an unrivalled leader in the world’s second-biggest smartphone market, began losing customers to Chinese rivals led by Xiaomi Corp about three years ago, as their devices were seen as better value for money.

But Samsung has since launched budget smartphones in India, its biggest revenue market after the United States, with longer-lasting batteries and high-resolution cameras in a bid to woo customers, especially those who shop online.

That range, and a tide of anti-Chinese sentiment in India, has helped Samsung jump to the No. 2 spot with 26% market share in the second quarter to June behind Xiaomi’s 29%, according to Hong Kong-based tech researcher Counterpoint.