A new study by Strategy Analytics revealed on Thursday that India had overtaken Japan as the world's third-biggest smartphone market.

The research experts said India's smartphone market has grown by a whopping 163 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 compared from a year ago, a jump which is four times faster and bigger than the global average which fared at a measly 39 per cent.

India Overtakes Japan, Now Third-Biggest Smartphone Market in the World

The study of Strategy Analytics noted India's growth is expanding quicker than China, which grew by only 86 per cent in the same period, compared to Japan's 24 per cent as well as the US' 19 per cent.

India's rise as the world's third-biggest smartphone market could be attributed to its growing population and rising interest in consumer electronics, the report stated.

Samsung and Apple continue to drive India's growing smartphone market. However, local players Micromax, Karbonn and Spice are likewise making their presence felt, growing collectively at a rate of between 200 per cent and 500 per cent on an annual basis, according to Strategy Analytics.

The release of the report by Strategy Analytics came at the perfect timing as India anticipates the release of eight smartphones, according to Silicon India.

These eight smartphones includes:

  • Micromax' Canvas 4 -Micromax is the leading Smartphone manufacturer from India;
  • Apple's iPhone 5S;
  • BlackBerry's Z5;
  • Nokia's Lumia EOS;
  • HTC's One Mini;
  • LG's Optimus G2;
  • Apple's cheaper iPhone; and,
  • Nokia's Catwalk