INDIA SMARTPHONE SHIPMENTS HIT 6-YEAR LOW

The Indian smartphone market contracted in the first quarter of 2026 as manufacturers raised prices amid rising component costs and supply chain pressures. Over 80 smartphone models saw price increases of approximately 15%, creating headwinds for an already price-sensitive market. The 3% YoY decline marks the worst quarterly performance since 2020, according to Counterpoint Research. Higher device costs have pushed consumers to delay upgrades or shift toward lower-price segments, compressing overall unit sales. India remains the world's second-largest smartphone market by volume, but the recent slowdown reflects broader economic pressures affecting consumer spending. Analysts attribute the shipment decline primarily to affordability constraints rather than weak demand fundamentals. The market faces continued headwinds if price increases persist through subsequent quarters. Manufacturers may need to adjust pricing strategies or introduce lower-cost variants to reignite growth in a market where price points remain critical to adoption.