India’s Smartphone Market Thrives Despite Rising Costs
New Delhi, Oct. 10 — Major smartphone brands are increasingly turning their attention to India, viewing it as a vital market that continues to show strong demand, even as prices for essential components like memory and storage rise.
During the Qualcomm event at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 held at Yashobhoomi, executives from prominent tech companies like Xiaomi, Motorola, and iQOO shared their insights. They emphasized that Indian consumers are evolving quickly, showing a preference for advanced technology and devices that provide enhanced user experiences.
Gautam Batra, Associate Director of Product Marketing at Xiaomi, pointed out that despite the increase in raw material costs leading to higher retail prices, consumers in India are still interested in purchasing new smartphones. “Prices are going up for components like RAM and storage, which leads to higher device prices,” he explained. “But the market has adapted to this trend, and we continue to see strong demand.”
Batra also highlighted the significance of the Indian market for Xiaomi, noting that it is not only large but also fast-growing. “India is an important and aspirational market for many smartphone manufacturers,” he stated.
In line with these developments, Batra announced the launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro flagship smartphone, which will incorporate the newly announced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 platform, offering significant improvements in graphics, photography, and AI capabilities.
Similarly, Motorola’s Marketing Head for APAC, Shivam Ranjan, remarked on the changing expectations of Indian consumers. He noted, “The Indian market has been evolving. Consumers are now looking beyond just technical specifications; they want devices that focus on user experiences.”
Ranjan also introduced Motorola’s upcoming Signature 27 handset, expected to be one of the first to feature the Snapdragon 6 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. This new device will emphasize camera quality, AI integration, and design that caters to the needs of modern users.
In addition, iQOO announced plans for its upcoming flagship phone, the iQOO 16, which will also utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 platform. Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO, shared excitement about the new release, calling it the company’s fastest smartphone yet, with a launch planned for India shortly.
As the smartphone industry in India continues to grow and adapt, it is clear that the demand for innovative and user-focused devices remains strong.
