India's budget smartphone segment has experienced a dramatic contraction during the first half of 2026. According to market research from Counterpoint, sales of smartphones priced below ₹10,000 plummeted by 65% year-on-year in H1 2026.
The sharp downturn coincides with a significant price surge, with costs jumping by 32% across the category. Higher price tags appear to be squeezing entry-level buyers, shifting the market dynamics away from the ultra-affordable tier that historically drove substantial volume in the country.
This trend underscores a changing mobile landscape in India, where rising device costs are reshaping consumer purchasing patterns and product availability.
For more comprehensive data and insights, please refer to the original report by Fortune India.
