India’s 4G smartphone segment shows recovery, shipments may grow by 3% in 2026: Counterpoint

India’s 4G smartphone market is set to recover in 2026 and show a shipment growth of nearly 3% year-on-year after a 48% year-on-year decline in 2025, Counterpoint Research said on Monday.

4G smartphone segment’s share in the overall market is set to rise to 13% this year, compared to 11% in 2025, the research agency said in a report. It attributed this to a widening price gap between 4G and 5G mobile handsets as a result of rising component costs, which has made 5G smartphones costlier for consumers.

As a result, consumers in the entry-segment, defined as sub-₹10,000, and the budget segment, which is between ₹10,000-20,000, are migrating to 4G devices for better specifications and value at a lower price.

Handset makers are also expanding their 4G portfolios into the ₹10,000-20,000 band to cater to this demand and fill the gaps created as 5G models move up the price ladder, it said.

“India’s 4G recovery is increasingly extending beyond the traditional entry-level segment, with demand gaining momentum across the sub-₹20,000 price range. The ₹10,000-₹20,000 segment is emerging as a key growth area as consumers seek better specifications and device experiences without the higher price associated with 5G,” said Senior Analyst Prachir Singh.

The number of handset makers offering 4G models in the budget price band has increased from just two in 2025 to 12 in 2026 so far, as per Counterpoint.

“Looking ahead, 4G is set to become a more meaningful part of India’s smartphone market, with its share expected to rise from 13% in 2026 to 15% in 2027. This growth reflects a broader shift in the role of 4G, rather than simply a short-term response to higher smartphone prices, as component prices are unlikely to normalise soon,” said Research Director Tarun Pathak.

Pathak added that the broader price-value positioning will support continued 4G demand, while encouraging OEMs to expand their portfolios with more capable 4G devices. “This could mark a shift in how 4G is positioned in India, from an entry-level connectivity choice to a broader value proposition.”