From The Economic Times · PTI · · 1m 20s
India's smartphone shipments drop 26% to decade low
India's smartphone market shrinks to 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, with Samsung regaining top spot after Chinese brands fall.
In brief
India's smartphone market shrinks to 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, with Samsung regaining top spot after Chinese brands fall. India's smartphone shipments fell 26% year-on-year to 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, hitting a decade low as Samsung reclaimed the top position. Originally reported by The Economic Times.
India's smartphone shipments drop
India's smartphone market shipments fell 26 percent year-on-year to 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, marking a decade low.
“India's smartphone market shipments are estimated to have declined 26 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 35.8 million units in 3Q26, marking their lowest third-quarter shipment volume since 2016, despite the start of the festive season”
Samsung regains top spot
Samsung shipped 6.7 million units, regaining the top position for the first time since q1 2024, with the galaxy a07, a17, and a27 driving sales.
“Samsung regained the top spot for the first time since the first quarter of 2024, shipping 6.7 million units, supported by the galaxy a07, a17 and a27”
Chinese brands see steep declines
Vivo dropped 34 percent to 6.4 million units, while oppo and xiaomi each declined 24 and 28 percent year-on-year.
“Vivo is estimated to have recorded the steepest fall in shipments of 34 per cent yoY to 6.4 million units from 9.7 million units”
Apple maintains strong position
Apple shipped 3.9 million units, supported by the base iphone 17 and 16 models amid the absence of a new base iphone 18.
“Apple rounded out the top five with shipments of 3.9 million units, supported by channel stocking ahead of anticipated price hikes and sustained demand for the base iphone 17 and 16 models amid the absence of a new base iphone 18”
Market share shifts
Chinese OEMs' combined market share fell to 68 percent in q3 2026 from 75 percent in q3 2025, while samsung and apple strengthened their positions.
“This has disproportionately affected chinese oems, whose combined market share fell to approximately 68 per cent in 3q26 from 75 per cent in 3q25”
Key factors behind decline
Higher smartphone prices, cautious consumer spending, and weaker online-focused shipments contributed to the market contraction.
“Higher smartphone prices and cautious consumer spending weighed on replacement demand, prompting vendors to adopt conservative inventory strategies”
The takeaway
India's smartphone shipments fell 26% year-on-year to 35.8 million units in Q3 2026, hitting a decade low as Samsung reclaimed the top position.
