India Smartphone Shipments Drop 26% in Q3 to the Lowest Level Since 2016

India smartphone shipments drop 26% in Q3 to the lowest level since 2016

According to a new report by Omdia, India's smartphone shipments fell by 26% to 35.8 million units in the third quarter (July to September) compared to the same period last year. Thus, Q3 2026 saw the lowest smartphone shipments since 2016, despite the start of the festive season. Higher prices and cautious consumer spending were to blame, unsurprisingly, and the latter is most likely caused by the former, so these aren't even really two reasons…

India's Smartphone Demand Declines Amid Festive Season

The festive season in India typically boosts smartphone sales, but this year, the trend appears to be reversing. Reports indicate that smartphone shipments have decreased significantly, raising concerns among manufacturers and retailers alike. One key factor is the rising cost of smartphones, which has led consumers to be more cautious with their spending. As prices […]

India's Smartphone Shipments Fall 26%, Chinese Brands Lose Market Share

India’s smartphone market shipped 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, down 26 percent year-on-year, marking its weakest third quarter since 2016, research firm Omdia said. Higher handset prices, cautious spending and a later Diwali weakened demand. Samsung led with 6.7 million units, followed by Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi and Apple, while Chinese brands lost share significantly overall.