Samsung is targeting a growth of 20 per cent in its tablets business as it launches new models in the fast-growing LTE segment. The Korean company also aims to increase its market share to 60 per cent by value in the country’s B2C tablet space from the current 51 per cent (by value).
It will launch three new tablets in WiFi and LTE variants on Monday. This range will start below ₹10,000, and go up to between ₹30,000 and ₹40,000 for the premium offering — the Tab S5e — which is a 2-in-1 (convertible) device.
“There is a big up-surge in the LTE space. But every different market or consumer segment has different needs,” said Aditya Babbar, Director, Mobile Business, Samsung India. He added that in the higher-end of the market, LTE tablets are doing well because there is a need for on-the-go, connected devices.
The 2-in-1 device market’s growth projection is at 9 per cent, according to Babbar, and this is across device categories such as 2-in-1 tablets, as well as 2-in-1 laptops. However, Babbar also categorically stated that Samsung’s 2-in1 tablets are not competing with 2-in-1 laptops.
Citing data from market research firm GFK, Babbar told BusinessLine that Samsung’s market share in the B2C tablet segment for first quarter 2019 stood at 50 per cent by volume and 51 per cent by value. For the year 2018, it was 49 per cent by volume and 48 per cent by value. He said that the “higher segment” contribution came from LTE tablets.
According to Babbar, the biggest segment by volume was the sub-₹10,000 segment and in terms of value, it was the higher-than-₹30,000 segment.
“We enjoy a very big share in the ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 (segment). It would be upward of 70 per cent. We are an all-range player,” Babbar said.