46% of prospective Indian smartphone buyers would stretch budgets after price rises

Counterpoint Research’s survey of 2,095 prospective buyers finds willingness to spend more is strongest among 25–30-year-olds. As replacement cycles lengthen, discounts, exchange offers, financing, in-store influence and after-sales support are becoming more important purchase levers.

— Filed Fri, 24 Jul, 2026, 11:31 IST · Source The Hindu BusinessLine · Updated

Counterpoint finds 46% of Indian prospective smartphone buyers will spend more despite price rises, especially younger Tier-I consumers. The report highlights demand for discounts, exchange offers, financing, retail influence and stronger after-sales support as replacement cycles lengthen.

Why this matters

The survey adds a consumer-response angle to Counterpoint Research's recent report of a 10% Q2 India smartphone shipment decline as memory costs rose, alongside evidence that budget phones slumped as buyers traded up.

Retail-brand signals are accelerating at +349100% QoQ.