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This image is for illustration purposes only. (Image courtesy: iStock)This year, more than half of the country’s smartphone consumers bought their devices online, compared with more than a third last year, a new report reveals.

According to Counterpoint Research’s Market Lens report, the affordable premium and premium segments became more active in 2021, with 15 percent of those polled being in the price range of Rs 30,000 and above, compared with seven percent in 2020.

Covid-19 made the smartphone an essential part of life, but it also pushed many offline consumers to online platforms due to restricted mobility. In addition, the reverse migration of knowledge workers from large cities to smaller towns and cities also played a key role in popularizing online channels.

In addition to new buyers, there is a strong bond with buyers who already use online channels.

When you look beyond the pandemic, there are even more reasons to prefer online over offline. Choice and price diversity are the main reasons consumers prefer online channels for smartphone purchase.

The report also mentioned an obvious shift from the heavy reliance on word of mouth and friends / family for smartphone recommendations in 2020 to YouTube videos and tech influencer opinions in 2021. The change was brought about by the social one triggered by Covid-19 Distancing catalyses and work-from-home scenarios.

In addition, with the increase in virtual connectivity, the smartphone has become an indispensable part of life. As a result, there is a movement in the market with a significant proportion of smartphone users wanting to buy their next smartphone in a higher price range.

In the Indian Christmas season 2021 there is high consumer demand in the mid and premium segment. In fact, the demand for premium smartphone brands has grown from 2020 to 2021.

Tech giant Apple overtook smartphone brand Vivo as the largest smartphone supplier in China in October 2021, according to a report.