By 2026, India set to have more than 100 crore smartphone users: Study

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Smartphone users in India would cross 100 crore by early 2026, a study by a leading provider of market and consumer data, according to a study by Statista.

According to government projections, the population in the country is expected to touch 140 crore. Therefore, according to the Statista.com projection, seven persons out of every 10 would use a smartphone, that has immense implication for financial services that are increasingly reaching consumers through smartphones.

Incidentally, China is expected to cross the 100 crore mark in 2021.

The Statista study revealed that in 2013 the total smartphone users in India were only 7.5 crore. But, in 2018, it stood about 48 crore, recording a 500% rise over a period of five years.

In 2020 the number of smartphone users in the country went to 69 crore. In 2023, the number is set to grow to 87 crore, and the next year the number might leap to 92 crore.

In 2025, there would be 97 crore smartphone users. Finally, in 2026, the number will cross 100 crore..

Considering a population of 140 crore, it is likely that almost all adults in the country would be using a smartphone by 2026.

In 2021, the total number of smartphone users stands at 390 crore all over the world, out of whom 76 crore, or 19%, are in India.

“After a slow migration rate from feature phones to smart phones for a couple of years between 2013 and 2016, it’s good to see that the market has started expanding again.” said an official from Samsung on condition of anonymity since he is not authorised to speak to the media.

India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) officials also supported the study. They have already submitted a study, which indicated that by 2022 smartphone users will increase to 82-83 crore, and, by 2025-26, it will further cross the 100-crore mark in the country.