According to market research firm Canalys, the top smartphone manufacturer for the Indian market is no longer Samsung, but Gurgaon-based Micromax. Canalys noted that in Q4 2014, Micromax overtook Samsung to hold 22 percent of the total smartphone market by number of units shipped. Samsung fell to second place, holding 20 percent of the market.

Samsung, however, disputes Canalys’ findings. In a statement, Samsung said, “Our volume market share in the smartphone market in the year was 35.7 percent, which is more than double than that of the next player, while our value share was 40.2 percent, which is more than four times the next player.” The primary dispute seems to be that Canalys’ numbers deal with smartphone shipments from manufacturer to retailer, while Samsung says its numbers – provided by market research firm GfK – represent sales to end users.

One of the most interesting aspects of Canalys’ report, however, is that the market remains quite competitive and has been growing at a breakneck pace. The Indian smartphone market grew by 90 percent in Q4 2014 compared with Q4 2013, and grew 13.7 percent sequentially. In addition, 23 percent of shipments were of devices priced under US$100, and 64 percent were priced under US$200.

This last point may be the most important data point of all – Canalys indicated that Micromax’s success has been a result of adapting to consumer needs at the lowest of price points. It also indicates that while local manufacturers have significant market influence, relatively low price points are some of the most important reasons for increasing unit shipment market share.