Generative AI Becomes a Key Smartphone Buying Factor for Indian Users, CMR Report Reveals
Generative AI is becoming a major smartphone buying factor in India, with 71% of users using AI features weekly. The CMR report highlights rising demand for AI smartphones, AI photography, on-device AI, and privacy-focused mobile experiences.
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Artificial intelligence is becoming one of the biggest reasons why people in India choose a new smartphone. According to a new report from CyberMedia Research (CMR), 71% of Indian smartphone users currently use Generative AI (Gen AI) features on a weekly basis. The study also discovered that when it comes to choosing a smartphone, AI is now as crucial as performance and camera quality.
The CMR Smartphone AI Pulse 2026 study examined over 2,000 smartphone users aged 18 to 35 in eight Indian locations. According to the report, 78% of purchasers prioritize performance. Camera quality came in second at 70%, while AI features rated third, with 59% of consumers stating they are a significant element of their purchasing decision.
According to the report, 68% of users expect advanced AI features in their future smartphone. When comparing two smartphones at the same price, most purchasers choose a smartphone with both powerful hardware and AI capabilities rather than focusing only on one aspect.
AI-powered photography continues to be the most popular AI feature. Around 77% of users regularly utilize AI tools to improve their images, including portrait enhancement, low-light shooting, and scene detection. At the same time, many people rely on Generative AI to do tasks such as writing, searching for information, summarizing content, translating languages, and interacting with AI chat assistants.
The study also demonstrates that various groups employ AI in distinct ways. Gamers are the most active AI users, followed by content makers and working professionals. Almost half of those polled frequently use five or more AI capabilities on their mobile devices.
As AI becomes increasingly widespread, people concerns about privacy and security grow. The majority of respondents indicated they trust mobile devices that clearly explain how their data is gathered and processed. Many people feel that on-device AI delivers greater privacy and faster performance because information is stored on the phone rather than being transferred to the cloud.
The report highlights that AI is no longer just an extra feature. It has become an important part of the smartphone experience and is now influencing how people in India choose their next mobile device.
This article is based on information from Business Standard
