The average selling price of smartphones in India rose 16 per cent in the first half of 2026, as buyers shifted to costlier models and brands raised prices, according to Counterpoint Research data reported by the Economic Times.

The average price hit a record $318 in the second quarter of 2026. The budget segment under Rs 10,000 saw the sharpest change: prices there rose 32 per cent while shipments crashed 65 per cent, as brands moved away from entry-level phones.

OnePlus was the only major brand to grow shipments, rising 8 per cent, and emerged as the fastest-growing brand online. Analysts said premiumisation is now the dominant trend, with financing options and longer replacement cycles pushing buyers towards higher-priced devices.

The data suggests the Indian market is splitting: a shrinking mass-market base and a fast-growing premium tier. For component makers and retailers, the value is increasingly concentrated in fewer, more expensive phones.