Low-end handsets take backseat in India's smartphone journey

Increasing average selling price has dented the prospects of local players of late

Consumers’ growing appetite for superior smartphones affected sales of low-end handsets in the country during January-March. 

Data from Counterpoint Research show sales of smartphones priced above Rs 8,000 have grown handsomely but low-end devices registered a decline in volumes. 

The average selling price of smartphones has been on rise and growth has accelerated in 2017. From Rs 7,670, the average selling price of smartphones in India rose to Rs 7,870 in 2016. With a jump in spending in early 2017, it has reached Rs 9,750. 

Also, smartphone sales are now increasingly driven by repeat buyers and growth in the low-end