India’s smartphone market is expected to grow by 7-8 per cent this year, driven by strong demand for premium, 5G, and AI smartphones, according to a new report.

The overall mobile handset market in India is anticipated to maintain steady growth.

“As brands focus on bridging technology gaps and introducing affordable 5G devices, competition will likely intensify. The new wave of AI-capable devices will continue to fuel consumer preferences in the coming quarters,” said Pankaj Jadli, Analyst at Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CyberMedia Research (CMR).

In Q3, India’s smartphone market grew by 3 per cent despite global economic challenges.

Consumer demand in India remains robust, driven by a growing preference for mid-range and premium smartphones. The share of 5G smartphone shipments increased to 82 per cent, marking a significant 49 per cent YoY growth.

Vivo led the 5G smartphone market with an 18 per cent market share, followed by Samsung at 17 per cent during the quarter.

“India’s smartphone market shows remarkable adaptability, with consumer preferences increasingly focused on 5G adoption and premium features,” said Menka Kumari, Analyst at Industry Intelligence Group, CMR.

The continued growth of 5G smartphones, along with strong demand in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000 price range, signals a growing consumer base for high-performance devices at accessible price points. Additionally, the premiumisation wave remains strong, with the premium segment (above Rs 25,000) witnessing a 26 per cent YoY growth, Kumari noted.

Apple saw a notable increase in shipments, rising by 27 per cent.

The feature phone market in India experienced a 14 per cent decline in Q3, primarily driven by a significant 46 per cent drop in 4G feature phone shipments, according to the report.

(Inputs from IANS)