India smartphone shipments hit six year low as price hikes bite consumers hard

AI helped Google surge, even as shipments slid

India’s smartphone shipments fell 3% year-on-year in Q1 2026, landing at a six-year low as manufacturers grappled with cost pressures and consumers faced price hikes. Analysts warn the downturn could deepen in the coming quarters. Vivo continues to lead the market, while Google is the fastest-growing premium brand, gaining momentum from AI-backed features.