Premium Smartphone Market Share Surpasses 29% in H1 2026, with Apple and Samsung Leading The global premium smartphone market, defined as devices with a wholesale average selling price of $600 and above, demonstrated resilience in the first half of 2026, with unit sales rising 5% year-over-year. This growth pushed the premium segment’s share of the overall global smartphone market to a record high of 29%, up from 25% in the same period in 2025 and 20% in 2022, according to Counterpoint Research’s Handset Model Sales Tracker. The shift toward premiumization was driven by rising memory and component costs, which disproportionately impacted lower- and mid-tier segments. Premium Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) were better positioned to absorb these costs through higher profit margins and reduced promotional discounts, enabling them to sustain demand despite broader market challenges. From 2022 to 2025, the premium segment’s share growth was largely fueled by a global trend toward premiumization, as consumers increasingly prioritized high-end smartphones over budget models. Senior Analyst Harshit Rastogi highlighted that escalating memory and component costs are reshaping smartphone pricing dynamics. “As mid-tier Android devices face higher price pressures, the gap between these models and premium smartphones—especially older or discounted flagship versions—has narrowed,” he explained. This trend is making flagship devices a more attractive upgrade option for consumers. To support this shift, OEMs are expanding financing, trade-in, and buyback programs to improve affordability. Samsung, for instance, has broadened its Galaxy Forever initiative to multiple markets to enhance access to flagship models.#apple #samsung #counterpoint_research #harshit_rastogi #karn_chauhan
Rising Prices Push Indian Smartphone Shipments to 6-Year Low; Market Falls 9% in Q1 The Indian smartphone market experienced a significant downturn in the first quarter of 2026, with shipments dropping 9 percent year-on-year, marking the lowest level in six years. This decline has been driven by a combination of rising component costs, particularly memory chips, and a shift in consumer behavior as prices climb. The data, released by Counterpoint Research and cited by Reuters, highlights a broader trend of weakening demand and challenges for manufacturers operating in the country. The primary factor behind the decline is the global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory chips, which has sharply increased manufacturing costs. Smartphone brands have had to pass these costs onto consumers, leading to widespread price hikes. For example, flagship models from Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Realme saw average selling prices rise by approximately Rs 1,500 compared to the same devices a year earlier. This increase is particularly impactful in a market where mid-range devices priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 dominate sales. Such price jumps have caused many buyers to delay purchases or opt for lower-tier models, further straining revenue for manufacturers. The price increases have affected all segments of the market, from budget to premium devices. OnePlus, for instance, launched its latest flagship at Rs 72,999, a significant jump from the previous generation. Realme’s GT 8 Pro was priced at Rs 72,999, nearly Rs 15,000 higher than its predecessor, the GT 7 Pro. Oppo and iQoo have followed similar pricing strategies, reflecting the industry-wide pressure to absorb rising costs.#india #samsung #vivo #oppo #counterpoint_research
