# Chinese Smartphone Brands’ India Share Falls to 68% as Memory Prices Bite

URL: https://technosports.co.in/chinese-smartphone-brands-india-share/  
Published: 2026-10-28  
Updated: 2026-10-28  
Author: Sudeshna Ghosh

Chinese smartphone brands’ combined share in India fell to about 68% in July to September, down from 75% a year earlier, according to Omdia. Shipments dropped 26%, the weakest third quarter since 2016, as memory costs lifted phone prices.

## The Numbers: Chinese Smartphone Brands

A [post by India Plus](https://x.com/india_plus_/status/2114922536526102721) highlighted the share slide. The firm figures are from [Free Press Journal](https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/indias-smartphone-shipments-fall-26-chinese-brands-lose-market-share) and [Gizbot](https://www.gizbot.com/mobile/news/india-smartphone-shipments-fall-26-in-q3-2026-hit-10-year-low-omdia-129307.html).

| Metric | Q3 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| India smartphone shipments | 35.8 million, down 26% year on year |
| Chinese brands’ combined share | About 68%, versus 75% a year ago |
| Top brand by units | Samsung, 6.7 million, then vivo, OPPO, Xiaomi and Apple |
| Outlook | Low single-digit decline expected in 2027 |

![Chinese Smartphone Brands' India Share Falls to 68% as Memory Prices Bite](https://images.technosports.co.in/2026/10/Chinese-Phone-Brands-India-Share-Falls-to-68-_resized.avif)

## Why It Happened

- **Memory costs:** Counterpoint says memory prices rose nearly fourfold since September 2025 and now make up a much bigger share of a phone’s cost.
- **Budget cuts:** Chinese brands rely on entry and mid-range phones, where price hikes hit hardest. Sales of phones under ₹15,000 fell 45% in the previous quarter.
- **Late Diwali:** Festive buying came later than usual.

## Who Gains?

The post says Lava and AI+ grew their combined share from 2% to 7%. I could not verify that figure in the sources I found. Counterpoint noted earlier that no Indian brand was in India’s top eight in Q2.

See the price effect in our report on the [OPPO Reno 16 price hike](https://technosports.co.in/). Read about the [smartphone market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone). More news is on [TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in/category/technology/).

## Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Chinese brands' share fall?

To about 68% from 75%, per Omdia.

Why are phone prices rising?

Higher memory chip costs are the main reason. *Sources: [India Plus on X](https://x.com/india_plus_/status/2114922536526102721), [Free Press Journal](https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/indias-smartphone-shipments-fall-26-chinese-brands-lose-market-share), [Counterpoint Research](https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/india-smartphone-shipments-fall-10-percent-yoy-june-quarter).*

How much did Chinese phone brands’ share fall in India?

Their combined share fell to about 68% in July to September, down from 75% a year earlier, according to Omdia.

Why are phone prices rising in India?

Higher memory chip costs are the main reason. Counterpoint says memory prices rose nearly fourfold since September 2025.