India’s smartphone shipments fell 20% year on year in July–September 2026, the lowest level in a decade, as record memory chip prices pushed up the cost of phones, according to Counterpoint Research. More increases are coming: Lava will raise prices by up to ₹3,000 across its range from 15 November 2026.
When a phone costs more, how long it lasts matters more. These are the numbers, and five checks to make before paying.
What has happened to phone prices
Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
Shipments, July–September 2026 | Down 20% year on year, lowest in a decade | Counterpoint Research |
Same quarter, second estimate | Down 26% to 35.8 million units | Omdia |
Phones under ₹20,000 | Shipments down 47% as models moved into higher price bands | Counterpoint Research |
Top brand | Samsung, 17% share, ahead of vivo at 16% | Counterpoint Research |
Full-year 2026 outlook | Market expected to shrink about 13%, with more price hikes after the festive season | Counterpoint Research |
Next announced hike | Lava, up to ₹3,000, from 15 November 2026 | Lava statement, 31 October 2026 |
The cause is memory. Chipmakers are prioritising supply for AI data centres, which has left phone makers short of the RAM and storage chips every handset needs, 91mobiles reported. Budget phones are hit hardest because their margins are thinnest.
Check how many years of updates you get
A phone without security updates is unsafe for banking, however good the hardware still is. Update promises now differ widely by brand and by model.
Brand and models | Android version upgrades | Security updates |
|---|---|---|
Google Pixel 8 and newer | 7 years | 7 years |
Samsung Galaxy S24 series and newer flagships | 7 | 7 years |
Samsung Galaxy A16, A26, A36, A56, A57, M16, F16 | 6 | 6 years |
Vivo X300 series, iQOO 15 | 5 | 7 years |
Nothing Phone (3) | 5 | 7 years |
Xiaomi 17, 17 Ultra | 5 | 6 years |
OnePlus 15, 15R, 13, 13R, Nord 6 | 4 | 6 years |
Redmi Note series, Realme GT 8 and 16 Pro | 4 | 6 years |
Nothing Phone (3a), (4a), CMF Phone 2 Pro | 3 | 6 years |
Moto G series | Up to 2 | About 3 years |
The table is from Beebom’s compilation of brand policies, published on 13 October 2026. Most iPhones get updates for more than five years, AppleInsider notes.
Two things to watch:
The clock starts at launch, not at purchase. A phone bought a year after launch has a year less support.
Read the wording. A claim that a phone will stay “fast and smooth” for six years is about performance. It is not an update promise.
Look up the same phone’s European label
Since 20 June 2025, phones sold in the European Union must meet rules set by the European Commission and carry a label.
EU requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
Battery | 800 charge cycles while keeping at least 80% capacity |
Spare parts | Supplied within 5–10 working days, for 7 years after sales end |
Operating system updates | At least 5 years after the last unit is sold |
Repairability | Score from A (best) to E, printed on the label |
Indian boxes do not carry this label, but many models are sold in both markets. The label and product sheet for each model are public in the EU’s EPREL database, so you can look up the battery and repair scores before buying. The Indian variant can differ, so treat it as a guide.
India is working on its own version. A committee submitted a Repairability Index framework for smartphones and tablets to the Department of Consumer Affairs in May 2025. It proposes a five-point score that brands declare themselves, based on six factors including spare parts, repair information and software updates.
Ask for two repair prices before you pay
Call or visit the brand’s authorised service centre and ask what a battery replacement and a screen replacement cost for the exact model, and whether the parts are in stock. A cheap phone with a costly screen is not cheap.
Test the AI features with the internet off
Brands sell translation, call summaries and photo editing as AI features. Some run on the phone. Others send your data to a server. In the shop, switch on airplane mode and try the feature. If it stops working, it depends on the cloud, and you should read its privacy settings.
Secure the phone on day one
Install every pending system update.
Download apps only from the official app store.
Turn on two-factor authentication for banking, email and UPI apps.
Never share a one-time password with anyone.
If something goes wrong, use the right channel.
Situation | Where to report |
|---|---|
Suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp message, no money lost | Chakshu on the Sanchar Saathi portal |
Money already lost | Call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in |
FAQ
Why are smartphone prices rising in India?
Memory chips have become scarce and expensive because chipmakers are supplying AI data centres first. Phone makers are passing the cost on, and Counterpoint Research says record memory prices drove the July–September 2026 slump.
Will phone prices come down soon?
Current forecasts say no. Counterpoint Research expects further price hikes after the festive season and a market about 13% smaller in 2026.
Which Android phones get the longest updates?
Google Pixel 8 and newer, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series and newer flagships, get seven years of Android upgrades and security updates.
Where do I report a fraud call in India?
Report a suspicious call or message on Chakshu at the Sanchar Saathi portal. If you have lost money, call 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Sources: Counterpoint Research, Omdia, Lava International statement, Beebom, 91mobiles, AppleInsider, European Commission, Department of Consumer Affairs (via PTI), Department of Telecommunications
