India's Smartphone Shipments Fall 26%, Chinese Brands Lose Market Share
India's smartphone market shipped an estimated 35.8 million units in the July-September quarter of 2026, a 26 percent drop from a year earlier, according to research firm Omdia. It is the weakest third-quarter volume for the country since 2016, and it came even though the festive season had begun. Pricing and Diwali timing hit demand Omdia said costlier handsets and cautious household spending…
The Indian smartphone market shipped 35.8 million units in the July-September quarter of 2026, marking a 26 percent drop from the same period last year, according to research firm Omdia. This is the weakest volume for the country since 2016, despite the beginning of the festive season. Pricing and Diwali timing were identified as key factors that dampened demand, with costlier handsets and cautious household spending leading to a decrease in replacement purchases.
Brands opted for leaner inventories, and a decline in online-focused shipments added to the pressure. The later Diwali date also amplified the quarterly decline, as many offline festive sales were pushed from September into October. Samsung emerged as the top market leader, shipping 6.7 million units, marking its first time at the top since Q1 2024.
The Galaxy A07, A17, and A27 contributed significantly to these volumes, while the Galaxy S26 series, Z-series foldables, and Galaxy S26 FE bolstered its higher-priced lineup. Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE played a crucial role in strengthening its premium segment.
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