Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: India’s smartphone market is undergoing a sharp price reshuffle, with rising component costs, pushing devices into higher brackets and squeezing the entry segment.As of March 2026, more than 80 out of roughly 200 smartphone models (including memory variants) in India have seen price increases, with an average hike of about 15%. Further increases are expected, with prices likely to rise another 15% in Q2, while new launches could come in 30-40% higher in some cases.According to Counterpoint Research, the sub-Rs 15,000 category has taken the biggest hit, with its market share dropping to 33% in Q1 2026 from 41% in Q3 2025. “Brands in this segment, typically operating on razor-thin margins, have struggled to absorb input cost increases,” said Tarun Pathak, research director, devices and ecosystems at Counterpoint Research. As a result, many devices have been repriced upward.In contrast, Rs 15,000-30,000 segment has expanded significantly, with its share rising from 35% to 45% over same period. Price hikes have effectively pushed several models out of budget bracket into mid-range. “Memory price inflation is impacting entry-tier segment, where brands have limited flexibility to absorb costs.”
