Photo: Rawpixel Ltd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped
Why Did Smartphone Sales Slow Down in India This Festive Season, and Is a Refurbished Phone Now Smarter?
By FastBuySale Newsroom · · 11m ago · EN HI
Get breaking news & deals on your favourite app
Smartphone sales slowed sharply because memory-led price hikes of 35–40% and thinner discounts priced out budget buyers; Q3 2026 shipments fell 20–26%. For many local buyers, a checked refurbished or used phone is now the better-value choice. India smartphone shipments fell 20% YoY in Q3 2026 (Counterpoint); Omdia put the fall at 26% to 35.8 million units.
📌 Key points
- India smartphone shipments fell 20% YoY in Q3 2026 (Counterpoint); Omdia put the fall at 26% to 35.8 million units.
- Phones under ₹20,000 saw a 47% drop in shipments.
- Online festive discounts narrowed to 10–25% from 25–40%.
- Average smartphone prices rose 35–40% on memory, rupee and freight costs.
- Samsung led Q3 with 6.7 million units; Apple shipped 3.9 million.
- Counterpoint expects the market to shrink about 13% in 2026.
How big was the festive smartphone slowdown?
During the e-commerce Navratri sales, unit sales fell 16% year on year, Counterpoint told the Economic Times. Average online discounts narrowed to 10–25% from 25–40% a year earlier, while average phone prices rose 35–40% due to a two- to three-fold jump in memory costs.
Offline was no better. The All India Mobile Retailers Association estimated a 20% drop in store sales since Navratri and said 70–80% of retail purchases now depend on consumer finance.
Which brands gained and which lost?
Samsung regained the top spot with 6.7 million units in Q3, helped by exchange offers and longer EMI tenures, while Apple rounded out the top five with 3.9 million units driven by the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16. Vivo fell 34% after repeated price hikes, and Oppo and Xiaomi also slipped. Chinese brands' combined share fell to 68% from 75%.
Is a refurbished or used phone a good idea now?
For budget buyers, yes, if you check it properly. With sub-₹10,000 new phones becoming scarce, a one- or two-year-old mid-range model often gives better cameras and more RAM for the same money. Look for warranty, a clean IMEI record and an honest battery health figure.
Counterpoint expects India's smartphone market to shrink about 13% in 2026 and more price hikes after the festive sales, so used prices are unlikely to crash soon. Delhi shoppers can compare offers on FastBuySale.
What does this mean for people selling old phones?
Demand for clean used handsets is rising as buyers delay new upgrades. Sellers who list with original box, bill and clear photos can expect quicker sales. More market updates are on FastBuySale.
💬 Join the discussion on this article →
More in Tech · Trending News · Browse local deals
💡 What's in it for buyers
- Compare a used phone's ask with today's new price; a one-year-old model should cost clearly less than new.
- Insist on a working warranty or a 7-day check window when buying refurbished.
- Run IMEI checks on Sanchar Saathi and test calls, camera, charging and screen touch before paying.
- Use FastBuySale to compare EMI on a new phone with paying once for a used one.
- Sellers: mention RAM, storage and battery health in the title on FastBuySale to attract serious buyers.
FAQs
Why are smartphones more expensive in India in 2026?
Memory chip prices have jumped two- to three-fold, the rupee has weakened and freight costs have risen, lifting average phone prices by 35–40%.
How much did smartphone shipments fall in Q3 2026?
Counterpoint reported a 20% year-on-year fall, while Omdia estimated 26%, to 35.8 million units, the lowest third-quarter level since 2016.
Which segment was hit hardest?
Mass-market phones under ₹20,000, whose shipments fell 47% as models moved into higher price bands.
Will phone prices drop after Diwali?
Unlikely. Counterpoint expects another round of price hikes after the festive sales because component costs remain high.
Is buying a refurbished phone safe?
It can be, if the seller offers a warranty, the IMEI is clean, and you test the battery, screen, cameras and charging before paying.
₹200
₹100
₹50