Amid soaring inflation, Bangladesh's smartphone market shipments dropped 3 percent year-on-year in Q2 2022, according to Counterpoint Research's Market Monitor Service. "Bangladesh's smartphone market experienced a good start with Eid celebrations during April. The month contributed almost half of the quarter's total shipment volumes," Karn Chauhan, senior analyst at Counterpoint, said. "However, the volumes declined adversely in May and June due to smartphone costs rising by up to 10 percent on increasing component prices and the addition of VAT. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to increase smartphone prices by up to another 20 percent in the coming months." Bangladesh's feature phone shipments declined 12 percent year-on-year, mainly due to the shift towards smartphones, which resulted in a 9 percent year-on-year decline in the country's overall mobile handset market in Q2 2022. In Q2 2022, Xiaomi secured the top spot in the smartphone segment and Samsung second spot with a 17.3 percent market share. Vivo took third place with a 10.1 percent share. Symphony continued to be at the top position in the feature phone market. Also read: Tracking Lost or Stolen Smartphone: Some easy ways to follow

Youth-centric brand realme led the smartphone market of Bangladesh in 2021 with a 17 percent share, according to the latest report of global research firm Counterpoint. At 82 percent year-on-year, realme grew the highest among the top five brands in 2021, it said. Bangladesh's overall smartphone market increased 11 percent year-on-year during this time, the Counterpoint report also said. Read: realme showcases realme GT 2 Pro during media session for journalists However, the 5G smartphone penetration is still in a very early stage in the country. Telecom operator Teletalk started rolling out its 5G network in the country on December 31, 2021. Initially, the network will be available at six major locations before being expanded to more locations in 2022. Read realme 9i: A step in the style and performance 5G smartphones will capture a significant share in the market in the coming years. According to another report published by the leading global technology market analyst firm Canalys, realme clinched the top spot as a smartphone maker in the Bangladeshi market in terms of shipments in Q4 2021. realme made it to the top with a 20 percent unit share and registered over 50 percent growth in Q4. Read Realme to launch world's fastest charging technology in MWC