Smartphone shipments in India during this festive season increased by 6-8% compared to the previous year, primarily fueled by the demand for 5G connectivity and replacement needs. The market share of general trade saw a significant rise of 35-40%, up from 32% last year. Experts anticipate an 8% volume increase and 25% growth in value for the 30-day festive season. Affordability initiatives, EMI offers, and the appeal of premium smartphones played a key role in steering consumer preferences. Amazon India reported a 2.5 times increase in premium smartphone sales, with 60% being 5G-ready. Loan approvals from NBFCs rose to 90%, contributing to the surge in smartphone sales.