India’s 4G smartphone shipments projected to grow 3% in 2026, Counterpoint says

New Delhi: India's 4G smartphone market is showing signs of recovery in 2026, with shipments set to grow three per cent year-on-year, staging quite a comeback from a 48 per cent drop suffered in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research.Its share in the overall market is seen rising from 11 per cent in 2025 to 13 per cent in 2026 and an estimated 15 per cent in 2027, as pricier component costs have widened the price gap between 4G and 5G devices, making 5G smartphones more expensive for consumers.The result: consumers in the entry (sub Rs 10,000) and budget (Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000) segments are turning to 4G devices for better specifications and value at a lower price."4G smartphone shipments in India are expected to grow 3 per cent YoY in 2026 despite a decline in the overall market, with 4G share rising to 13 per cent in 2026 from 11 per cent in 2025," Counterpoint said in a release.Also read | Behind bigger price tags hides a fault line in India’s growth storyAt the same time, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expanding their 4G portfolios into the Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 band to cater to this demand and fill the gaps created as 5G models move up the price ladder."India's 4G recovery is increasingly extending beyond the traditional entry-level segment, with demand gaining momentum across the sub-Rs 20,000 price range. The Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 segment is emerging as a key growth area as consumers seek better specifications and device experiences without the higher price associated with 5G," Senior Analyst Prachir Singh said.Responding to this shift, OEMs are expanding their 4G portfolios beyond the entry segment.The number of OEMs offering 4G models in the budget price band has increased from just two in 2025 to 12 in 2026 so far.The wider portfolio is positioning 4G as a broader value proposition, offering consumers a balance of price, specifications and performance as rising costs push 5G smartphones into higher price bands, Singh said.Also read | India electronics firms get Rs 19,091 crore PLI incentives, investments cross Rs 20,580 croreAccording to Research Director Tarun Pathak, 4G is set to become a more meaningful part of India's smartphone market, with its share expected to rise from 13 per cent in 2026 to 15 per cent in 2027."This growth reflects a broader shift in the role of 4G, rather than simply a short-term response to higher smartphone prices, as component prices are unlikely to normalise soon. As consumers increasingly weigh specifications against price, 4G is gaining relevance beyond the entry-level segment, particularly in the sub-Rs 20,000 range," Pathak said.Pathak added: "We expect this broader price-value positioning to support continued 4G demand, while encouraging OEMs to expand their portfolios with more capable 4G devices. This could mark a shift in how 4G is positioned in India, from an entry-level connectivity choice to a broader value proposition."

New Delhi, Sep 28: India’s 4G smartphone shipments are expected to grow 3 per cent year-on-year after a 48 per cent year-on-year decline in 2025, and its share in the overall market is rising to 13 per cent in 2026 from 11 per cent in 2025, a report said on Monday.4G demand gains momentumThe report from market research firm Counterpoint Research said rising component costs have widened the price gap between 4G and 5G devices, pushing 5G models more expensive for price-sensitive consumers.This prompted value-seeking consumers in the entry (sub-Rs 10,000) and budget (Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000) segments to favour 4G handsets.The report noted that the number of original equipment manufacturers offering 4G models in the Rs 10,000–Rs. 20,000 segments have jumped from two in 2025 to 12 in 2026 year-to-date.Top Smartphone Launches In October: Oppo F35 Pro, Vivo V80, MoreManufacturers expand portfolios“This growing portfolio is positioning 4G as a broader value proposition, giving consumers a balance of price, specifications and performance as rising costs push 5G smartphones into higher price bands,” said Senior Analyst Prachir Singh."4G is becoming a broader market trend rather than a short-term response to higher smartphone prices, as component prices are unlikely to normalize soon," the report noted.Research Director Tarun Pathak forecasted that 4G models are set to grow its share in India’s smartphone market from 13 per cent in 2026 to 15 per cent in 2027.“We expect this broader price-value positioning to support continued 4G demand, while encouraging OEMs to expand their portfolios with more capable 4G devices,” he added.Also Watch:Global smartphone outlookAnother report earlier this month said that the global sub-$200 smartphone shipments are forecast to fall by approximately 40 per cent between 2025 and 2030.Entry-tier smartphones will experience the sharpest contraction as higher component costs and minimum specifications reduce the viability of the lowest-priced devices.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)