When was the last time you heard of something new and exciting from Nokia. In last 6 months only talk worthy and successful mobile launched by Nokia is, Nokia N8. Nokia has been really slow in addressing market requirements and new handsets and innovation has been rare.
Result: Nokia is losing its market share in each and every geography and market segment.
On the other hand, Samsung has been clearly gaining market share as well as mind share in all geographies and market segments. Some of the key reasons for Samsung’s success are Innovation in mobile technology, catching market trends early and serving them well.
Following is an analysis of where Nokia and Samsung stand with respect to different segments:
Top-end Phones:
Samsung has multiple options available in top-end smart phone segment with popular mobiles like Samsung Galaxy S (Android), Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) and Samsung Wave Series (Bada OS).
Nokia just has 1 decent popular phone in this segment – Nokia N8. While Nokia N8 has got good reviews about its hardware, it has been criticized for its software / OS, as being outdated. Samsung in general has won accolades from both critics and public for its range of top end smart phones.
Winner: Samsung
Tablets
Tablets are in fashion now after the success of iPad. While Nokia is still working since ages on its Meego platform for tables, Samsung has taken the lead here and launched Samsung Galaxy Tab. It has been well received in the markets across the world.
Winner: Samsung
Mid-range Phones
Nokia has some good midrange phones available like Nokia C6, Nokia C5, and Nokia E5 etc. These are good Symbian devices and do their job well.
Samsung has also been able to create a good buzz in this segment with its mid-range galaxy series and Corby series phones.
Winner: Tie. Both Samsung and Nokia have good range of phones in this segment.
Entry-Level Phones:
Nokia has some good options here. But over last few years, the Indian handset manufacturers are giving Nokia a tough fight with feature rich, value for money phones in this segment. Samsung also has many phones in this segment like Samsung Guru Series which are good value for money. Over all Samsung and Nokia are at par in this segment.
Winner: Tie. Both Samsung and Nokia have good range of phones in this segment.
Dual SIM Phones
Samsung is clearly a winner here. It has many good dual sim phones across entry-level and mid range phones. Nokia just has a couple of dual sim phones.
Winner: Samsung
CDMA Phones
CDMA Phones also have a good market base. Nokia has very few CDMA phones available in the market. On the other hand Samsung has many options in CDMA segment. It also has tie ups with CDMA service providers like Reliance and Tata Indicom.
Winner: Samsung
How Samsung is changing the game?
- Realize the shift in market demands as early as possible and serve them well. A good example of this is the Corby Series (touchscreen phones) last year and then the Galaxy Series (Android phones) now. According to the Gartner Report Samsung is the top Android mobile seller in the world.
- Make good reliable phones which are good looking too. I have personally used Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung phones over last 8 years. My latest phone is a Samsung and I can vouch that it’s as rock solid and reliable as anyone else.
- Backup sales by good after sales service. Nokia is still the leader here but Samsung is fast catching up.
- Aggressive marketing. Over last few years, Samsung has been really aggressive in marketing.
- Impress the class (Opinion makers, bloggers, geeks, mobile enthusiasts) with some really cool products. Samsung has been successful in doing this. Samsung is now perceived as cool.
- Innovations in display technologies like AMOLED, Super AMOLEDs
- Adopting all popular mobile Operating systems like Android, Windows Phone 7, and having own propriety Bada Operating system.
- All this is evident from the fact that while Nokia has around 52 mobiles on sale in India, there are around 82 Samsung Mobile on sale in India.
Summary
Nokia still is number one in terms of Market share. As per IDC report Nokia’s market share plunged to 36.3% at the end of June 2010 from 54% at the end of 2009. Samsung has been steadily increasing its market share over the years and now accounts for around 10% to 11% of Indian mobile market share.
Will Samsung be the new Nokia?
From Samsung’s 10% market share to Nokia’s 36% market share, it’s still a tough task, but if one company that can challenge Nokia, it’s got be Samsung.
This article is written by Sulakshan. He is running a price comparison engine for books and mobile phones – MySmartPrice.com.
Yes, i can say that, Samsung will be the new Nokia. The way samsung’s share is growing. It seems like this only.
While Samsung rocks when it comes to Dual SIM, one should stay away from the GT C3212 for now as it has some serious freezing issues that end up draining one’s battery in minutes 🙁
how is overall samsung chat322 and since it has 1.3megapix camera can it take clear and good images?
I've been looking around for new possible phone options, and I've been weighing the merits if I should get a Nokia or something else. Is Samsung perceived to be better than most phones, or does it offer the same features as the rest of the lot?
Off course, Sam sung has many options, features, and new releases are there. So, all the people are willing to choose this company. I would liek to say thanks for given great article on here.
I have recently purchased a new Android Phone and after comparing and studying market thorughly, I myself feel as the Samsung is much better than Nokia but the customer support of Nokia is unbeatable as Samsung does not provide a good customer care (Learned that from self experience )
Good news as I was already like very much Samsung Mobile Phone…….Thanks for new and latest sharing………!
I have the same feeling. Nokia phones mostly sucks these days… difficult to use and lack of features. Samsung on the other hand has been doing pretty good with their latest releases.
but i still love nokia’s symbian smart phones
I think you are right and I am a big fan of samsung but no one will be able to create 3310 again . Now samsung has Wide range for all category buyers and featured offered by them are also one big reason to shift on this brand . I am using samsun marine and corbi and satisfied with both of them .
Nokia has more customer trust especially in some countries so Nokia will remain successful due to quality and nominal price
The brand offering quality handsets with reasonable price will be more successful and carry large market share
When it comes to higer end phone, nokia is really waste. Since in India they have their good market in 2000-2006 they are still in race
This is really an informative piece of info for all prospective phone buyers.
Of course Sulakshan, Samsung will be the next most popular brand name over Nokia because its brought something new which Nokia doesn’t. Even I also love Samsung brands.
I bought a Samsung 2 weeks ago last monday my auto rotator option in my phone is broken, it wont work. i will give it back to the service next monday, hope they will give me a new phone… 🙁
Today, Sam sung plays a vital role in all over world because most of my folks like me who will prefer the Samsung galaxy and so on. So, it has the high point with the best support. Really, its one of the useful article to me.
Well who knows, that certainly can happens. As far as I can see, currently Samsung has edge over Nokia in almost all segments in Indian market except Entry level.
I agree, if one company can challenge Nokia it will be Samsung. From reading your analysis I can say with confidence that Samsung will be the new Nokia in the next few years.
I think the reason why Samsung has been gaining so much market share is due to it's agressive marketing. You hardly ever see any marketing campaigns by Nokia recently. Thanks for sharing Sulakshan, I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Samsung has for sure taken up an edge ahead than Nokia as their performance is growing good day by day.. 🙂
Ah, it’s a tough life for Nokia. After being the market leader for such a long time, they’re rapidly losing their position.
No wonder that Nokia takes drastic step to corporate with Microsoft Windows Phone 7. It seems the Symbian eras has been over now.
Exactly. Best move they could have made. At least they can still provide the hardware for WP7 while also providing low-end phones to those who don’t want/need or cant afford smartphones.
i think Samsung will beat Nokia, atleast in touch screen mobile phones…
Don’t know why nokia still using symbian ..
That may happen really soon! I hate Nokia when it comes to smart phones!
Yeah ayush ! I think that nokia needs a change in this segment and especially the O.S
Moving ahead with Windows Phone 7 is a good move from Nokia but not sure if Windows Phone 7 can be used in mid-range Smart Phones like what Samsung has done with Android.
Will Nokia continue with Symbian for mid range phones is need to be seen.