Brands
OnePlus is India’s fastest growing Android smartphone
MUMBAI: OnePlus continued its growth in the overall Indian premium Android smartphone segment (above $400) by capturing 48 per cent market share in Q4 2017, as per International Data Corporation’s (IDC) latest Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker Q4 2017.
The IDC data also highlights the growing importance of the premium Android smartphone segment that outperformed the overall market with 97 per cent year-on-year growth (vs 54 per cent for overall premium smartphone market and 14 per cent for the overall smartphone market). During 2017, OnePlus grew by a staggering 1116 per cent in the premium smartphone segment as it further strengthened its robust performance in the online market and entrenched itself in the minds of smartphone users in India by consistently staying ahead of players like Apple and Samsung.
According to the Counterpoint Research report for the last quarter on the Indian handset market, the premium smartphone segment was the second fastest growing segment in CY 2017 driven by the strong performance of OnePlus and Apple.
Talking about the findings from the Q4 2017 report, Counterpoint Research associate director Tarun Pathak says, “While India’s smartphone market continues to grow in double digits, the premium segment, the category of less than Rs 30,000 is all set to grow faster by 20 per cent than the overall smartphone market in CY 2018. In such a scenario OnePlus, the fastest growing brand in this segment, is likely to grow as it enjoys a strong brand loyalty in India while positioning itself as a flagship-killer in the segment.”
OnePlus general manager Vikas Agarwal adds, “It is truly remarkable that OnePlus has become the biggest Android premium smartphone brand within just three years of entering the Indian market. It is a great validation of our user focused approach and online first business model. We are truly humbled and grateful to our business partners and loving community for their continued support.”
Globally, OnePlus became a $1.4 bn brand in the fourth year of its operation with India as its biggest market, contributing to one-third of the global business. With a single flagship a year product strategy and limited availability (Amazon.in for online and Croma for offline), OnePlus has emerged as the biggest brand in premium Android smartphone segment within just three years of its operations in India.
With industry leading features like 8GB RAM, dash charging and latest Android Oreo based OxygenOS, the attractively priced OnePlus 5T has become the best-selling premium smartphone with a average product rating of 4.6 which is the highest rating for any smartphone on Amazon.in as on 22 Feb 2018. The recently launched OnePlus 5T Lava Red edition was one of the most popular products on Amazon.in and quickly sold out during the Republic Day and Valentine Day sale events.
To further enhance the user experience and complement its online only presence, OnePlus has recently expanded its offline footprint with the launch of its first authorised store in Mumbai. OnePlus has also partnered with Croma to increase the number of physical touch-points and is in the process of opening large format exclusive experience stores across top cities.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
