India's 4G Smartphone Shipments Expected To Rise As Price Gap With 5G Widens

New Delhi, Sep 28: India's 4G smartphone shipments are anticipated to increase by 3% year-on-year, following a 48% year-on-year decline in 2025, as the share of 4G models in the overall market expands to 13% in 2026 from 11% in 2025, according to a report by Counterpoint Research. The report highlights that rising component costs have created a widening gap between 4G and 5G devices, making 5G models more expensive for price-conscious consumers.

As a result, value-oriented customers in the sub-Rs 10,000 and budget (Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000) segments have been opting for 4G handsets.

The number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offering 4G models in the Rs 10,000–Rs. 20,000 segment has surged from two in 2025 to 12 as of the first half of 2026. This expanding portfolio is positioning 4G as a more attractive value proposition, offering consumers a balance of price, specifications, and performance, as rising costs drive 5G smartphones into higher price ranges, says Senior Analyst Prachir Singh.

Research Director Tarun Pathak predicts that 4G models are poised to grow their market share from 13% in 2026 to 15% in 2027. Pathak anticipates that this broader price-value positioning will sustain the demand for 4G devices while encouraging OEMs to expand their portfolios with more advanced 4G smartphones.