Indian Smartphone Market Sees Weakest Quarter in Six Years, Shipments Down 3%

The Indian smartphone market recorded its weakest quarter in six years between January and March, according to Counterpoint Research. Shipments declined by 3% compared to the same period last year. This marks a significant slowdown for one of the world's largest smartphone markets.

Key Highlights

• Indian smartphone shipments dropped 3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026
• ​Vivo led market share at 20.8 percent, followed by Samsung and Oppo​
• ​Nothing brand saw highest growth at 47 percent, while Google led premium segment growth at 39 percent
• ​Oppo was the fastest-growing brand in the top five with 8 percent year-on-year growth
• Market expected to decline 10 percent for the full year due to high memory prices and weak demand

Market Share and Brand Performance

​Vivo led the market with a 20.8% share, maintaining its top position. Samsung followed with 17.4%, while Oppo held 13.6%. Apple captured 9% of the market, and Realme accounted for 8.9%. Xiaomi secured a 7.9% share, with Poco at 4.2%, iQOO at 2.6%, and OnePlus at 1.8%.

​Nothing, including its CMF sub-brand, achieved the highest growth at 47%. In the premium segment, defined as devices priced above INR 45,000, Google recorded the fastest growth at 39%. Despite these growth rates, neither Nothing nor Google ranked among the top five brands by market share.

Trends and Segment Insights

​Oppo experienced an 8% year-on-year increase, making it the fastest-growing brand among the top five. This growth was driven by strong sales of the A and K series, as well as solid performance from mid-range Reno models. Xiaomi saw double-digit growth in the INR 10,000-20,000 price segment.

Counterpoint Research notes that sub-brands are reported separately from their parent brands. For example, Poco's market share is listed independently from Xiaomi. This reporting method does not indicate Poco's exact ranking in overall sales for the quarter. The sub-brand data is provided for informational purposes only.

Market Outlook and Projections

Researchers predict a double-digit decline in sales for the second quarter compared to Q2 2025. Elevated memory prices and weak demand for entry-level smartphones are expected to continue affecting overall shipment volumes. For the full year, the market is projected to decline by 10% compared to 2025. Rising memory costs and affordability issues are likely to lengthen replacement cycles and reduce sales further.