A recent study conducted by CyberMedia Research (CMR) has shed light on the evolving preferences of smartphone consumers in India, particularly regarding their demand for advanced features such as 5G technology, improved camera capabilities, and longer battery life.
Surprisingly, brands like iQOO and LAVA are challenging the dominance of established players in the market, with iQOO receiving recommendations from 75 percent of users and LAVA from 68 percent.
The comprehensive survey, which covered consumers and retailers across major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Jabalpur, Ranchi, and Madurai, involved over 500 smartphone users and 250 retailers.
Results indicate a notable shift in consumer priorities towards features like 5G compatibility (70 percent), enhanced camera functionalities (68 percent), and extended battery life (66 percent).
According to Surachita Deb Sarma, Analyst-Industry Consulting Group (ICG), CyberMedia Research (CMR), “The Indian smartphone market is poised for a transformative year. Consumers increasingly demand more from their devices, prioritizing features like 5G, superior cameras, and longer battery life. Established brands face stiff competition from new contenders, creating an exciting and dynamic market in the coming year.”
These changing preferences are also evident in the daily usage patterns of smartphone users, who spend significant amounts of time on social media, watching reels, and engaging in chat applications.
The growing demand for entertainment, encompassing video streaming, music, and gaming, underscores the importance of smartphones with robust performance capabilities.
Most brands generally enjoy satisfaction levels exceeding 50 percent, although Realme and Vivo fall slightly below this mark at 47 percent and 44 percent, respectively. The performance of these two brands is linked to user experiences concerning camera quality (67 per cent), battery life (63 per cent), and the perceived value for money (63 per cent).
Those considering a change are chiefly unhappy due to issues like inadequate battery life (37 percent), lagging performance (34 percent), and subpar photo quality (32 percent), underscoring a rising desire for smartphones equipped with improved features, notably 5G capability (70 percent).
This discontent prompts consumers to consider switching brands, with 5G capability emerging as a critical factor for 70 percent of those seeking new devices.
Among the brands experiencing positive momentum, iQOO stands out for its high recommendation rate, closely followed by LAVA, which has improved its credibility by 20 percent over the past year.
Retailer feedback echoes the shifting consumer preferences, with 77 percent of retailers acknowledging the changing market dynamics. The anticipation surrounding the rollout of 5G technology, favorable sentiments towards the “Make in India” initiative, and the anticipated increase in demand for AI-driven smartphone solutions further illustrate the evolving landscape of the Indian smartphone market.
