Getting ready for the great Indian switch

India's mobile landscape is undergoing a shift: from feature phones to feature-rich, affordable smartphones, driven by consumers' desire for a better user experience

- PRABHU RAM

India’s mobile phone landscape is undergoing a crucial shift. Once ubiquitous feature phones are experiencing a resurgence in demand for specific models, while smartphone adoption is being driven by powerful digital tailwinds. As the digital era unfolds, the growing affordability of smartphones is enabling access of the majority to the digital economy, driving a migration from feature phones to smartphones.

CyberMedia Research (CMR) insights reveal that while feature phones remain popular for their practicality, evolving consumer needs and the lure of a richer digital experience are propelling the transition towards smartphones. However, feature phones are not obsolete; they are evolving to offer digital services like weather updates, news, and social media access. Despite their advantages, feature phones face limitations such as poor camera quality, limited app availability, and restricted internet access, prompting many users to consider switching to smartphones. 

Here is a ringside view of the ongoing dynamic digital transformation shaping the India of tomorrow, the emerging trends and their implications for the future.

SHIFTING TIDES: FEATURE PHONES VS. SMARTPHONES