Indian Smartphone Users Prioritize 5G Phones and MediaTek Chipsets, Latest Survey Reveals

Indian smartphone users’ preferences are evolving rapidly, with consumers demonstrating a keen awareness of device features and the importance of chipsets in their smartphones, according to recent research by CyberMedia Research (CMR).

In a notable trend, CMR’s survey revealed that a significant 81% of smartphone users understand the crucial role chipsets play in their devices’ performance. Contrary to previous assumptions, this knowledge extends beyond just the tech-savvy population, indicating a broad-based consumer understanding of smartphone technology.

5G Penetration Already at 31% in Indian Metros

Interestingly, the survey, which spanned across India’s top six cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, found that 31% of current smartphone users already own a 5G-capable device. Looking ahead, a resounding 83% of consumers are contemplating a 5G-enabled smartphone for their next purchase.

Smartphone users are increasingly engaged in content creation, consumption, and gaming noted Surachita Deb Sharma, Analyst-Industry Consulting Group (ICG) at CMR. As such, they are actively seeking devices that provide superior gaming and imaging experiences, with chipset brands racing to meet these growing consumer aspirations.

MediaTek Chipset Most Popular with Indians

Three dominant chipset brands – MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Apple – emerged as consumer favorites, each bagging a ranking score of 58 out of 100. Users preferred these brands primarily due to their proven record in delivering enhanced device performance, impressive gaming, and imaging experiences.

In a significant development, MediaTek has seen a marked growth in its market share in the Indian smartphone landscape, securing a 48% share in Q1 2023. The survey attributed this to increasing consumer awareness, with approximately 72% of respondents recognizing MediaTek as the power behind numerous smart devices.

Foldable Smartphones Find Their Way into Indian Users’ Wishlists

Furthermore, 68% were aware of MediaTek’s role in driving foldable smartphones, with an impressive 83% expressing interest in purchasing such devices in the future. The research also underscored chipsets’ integral role in enabling novel device formats like foldable smartphones and supporting advanced technologies such as AR/VR and automotive applications.

The concept of foldable smartphones was familiar to 79% of users, with roughly half of them expressing interest in this new device format for their next purchase.

Smartphone Gaming: Stress Reliever for Most Indian Smartphone Users

Another significant insight pertains to gaming, with seven out of eight gamers stating battery life as a crucial determinant when playing games on their smartphones. Further, it appears that a significant proportion of smartphone users-about six out of seven-employ their devices for content creation. They prioritize fast uploading (71%), enhanced storage capacity (67%), and a fast network connection (65%) when capturing videos or photos.

Approximately five out of six smartphone users turn to gaming for stress relief (44%), leisure (41%), and often to immerse themselves in an alternate character (26%). In terms of game genre preference, sports games take the lead (53%), closely followed by action/adventure games (51%).

The latest CMR survey provides a snapshot of the evolving dynamics in the Indian smartphone market, offering key insights into user behavior and preferences that are shaping the next generation of smartphone technology.