Compact flagships phones stage a comeback

THIS MARKET SHIFT MAY WELL BE CREDITED TO APPLE, WHICH LAUNCHED THE 6.1-INCH IPHONE I6E EARLIER THIS YEAR

- Vishal Mathur

India’s smartphone market is witnessing a compelling reversal as manufacturers embrace compact flagship devices, marking a departure from the supersized screens that dominated recent years.

Premium phones with 6.3-inch displays or smaller are now available from major brands including Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo, Apple and Samsung—a significant shift from the 6.7-inch norm that characterised flagship devices in recent years.

The Vivo X200 FE, launched this week, competes directly with the Xiaomi 15, OnePlus 13s, Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16e. Current market prices peg these between ₹50,000 and ₹80,000.

“Compact flagships are gaining priority in India as users often face challenges with large-screen smartphones, such as difficulty operating them with one hand and maintaining a secure grip, raising chances of accidental drops. This has made one-handed usability a key consideration for many consumers,” said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research.

The firm's latest study reveals that 74% of young professionals based in India have a preference for compact smartphones.

This transformation represents the market coming full circle rather than a sudden disruption.