Which premium smartphone are Indians buying the most? Top-selling phones ranked for 2026 (HT Tech)

Shweta Ganjoo is a Chief Content Producer at HT Tech. She has over 10 years of experience covering technology, during which time she has focused on consumer tech devices, AI, social media, gadgets, and tech policy, delivering authoritative and reader-focused insights across India’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem.

She began her career in the early 2010s, building a strong foundation in digital-first reporting as India’s tech landscape rapidly expanded. Over the years, she has worked with leading media organizations including India Today Tech, Indian Express Group, and Techlusive, where she played a key role in scaling editorial content and audience engagement. At HT Tech, she drives product recommendation coverage, combining newsroom leadership with hands-on reporting experience.

Her expertise spans smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, AI, and social media ecosystems, along with regulatory developments shaping the tech industry. Shweta is known for her analytical approach to product reviews and news coverage, grounded in hands-on testing and real-world usability. She has conducted industry interviews, tracked emerging tech trends, and produced research-backed stories using verified sources and expert inputs. She holds a masters in Mass Communication, which complements her professional experience in digital journalism and content strategy, and aligns with her academic background in technology. Shweta follows a reader-first editorial philosophy, prioritising accuracy, transparency, and fact-checked reporting to deliver reliable, insightful, and practical insights.

Read moreRead less

Don’t Delay Your Upgrade

Explore personalized EMI offers for your next purchase

Check Eligibility →

If you are planning to upgrade your smartphone soon, knowing which models are selling out fast can help narrow down your choices. Sure, the list becomes relatively shorter when you are looking for a premium smartphone, but sometimes that can add to the confusion rather than making the choice clearer. Most premium smartphones come with a bright and vibrant display, offer strong performance, come with a long lasting battery, excellent thermal performance, a camera setup that offers both colour accuracy and depth, and an extensive software ecosystem. This is where knowing which top models are selling fast can be particularly useful.

Strong sales often reflect a winning combination of performance, cameras, software support, and overall value. Based on Q1 2026 demand trends, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has emerged as India’s best-selling premium smartphone. It is the highest-selling premium smartphone segment above ₹1 lakh, recording 14.5 million gross views (GVs) and leading premium smartphone demand in India.

Interestingly enough, while Samsung is dominating the ultra-premium category, Apple continues to gain momentum with the iPhone 17e, which has emerged as the fastest-growing Apple smartphone for value-conscious buyers. That said, other Galaxy S26 series smartphones aren’t far behind. As per sales data, the Galaxy S26 Plus and the Galaxy S26 are continuing to attract buyers looking for flagship performance at comparatively lower prices.

So, in this guide we have ranked the most popular premium smartphones in India and explained the methodology behind our rankings, so that these details helps you choose the right device based on your budget.

Best selling premium smartphones of 2026

The Apple iPhone 17e 256GB is Apple’s most affordable entry into the iPhone 17 lineup. It combines flagship-grade performance with a streamlined design. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the powerful A19 chip with Apple Intelligence support, and a 48MP Fusion camera capable of capturing detailed photos and 4K Dolby Vision video. With 256GB of onboard storage as standard, MagSafe support, Ceramic Shield 2 protection, and all-day battery life, the iPhone 17e delivers a premium iOS experience at a more accessible price point. This phone captures the value-conscious Apple buyers.

– Powerful Apple silicon

– Great cameras

– Attractive entry point into Apple’s ecosystem

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus 5G is a premium flagship smartphone that combines top-tier performance with advanced AI-powered features and a refined design. It is equipped with a vibrant 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, and 12GB of RAM, it delivers seamless multitasking, gaming, and productivity. The 512GB storage variant offers ample room for photos, videos, and apps, while the versatile triple rear camera system captures detailed images across different lighting conditions. With a long-lasting battery, fast charging, Galaxy AI features, and seven years of Android OS and security updates, the Galaxy S26 Plus is designed for users seeking a future-ready flagship experience. The Cobalt Violet has witnessed a strong demand.

– Large Dynamic AMOLED display

– Powerful flagship chipset

– Long battery life

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G is a feature-packed mid-range smartphone designed for users who want a premium experience without the flagship price tag. It sports a vivid 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making everything from streaming to gaming feel fluid. It is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 processor and paired with 8GB RAM, the device handles everyday multitasking with ease. The 128GB storage variant provides ample space for apps, photos, and videos, while the versatile 50MP triple rear camera system captures detailed shots across different scenarios. A large 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging ensures reliable all-day performance.

– Samsung Knox security and up to six generations of Android OS upgrades with long-term security updates

– AI-powered editing tool

– Galaxy AI-inspired productivity features.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 5G is a compact flagship smartphone that blends premium design with cutting-edge performance. It features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that delivers vibrant visuals for gaming, streaming, and everyday use. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and paired with 12GB of RAM, the phone offers exceptional speed and AI-enhanced capabilities. The 256GB storage variant provides ample space for apps, photos, and videos, while the versatile triple rear camera system captures detailed images and cinematic 8K videos. A durable build, Galaxy AI features, and long-term software support make it a compelling flagship choice.

– Galaxy AI features

– Premium Armor Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass protection

– Seven years of Android OS and security updates

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus 5G is a premium Android flagship built for users who demand top-tier performance, advanced AI capabilities, and a refined design. The smartphone features a stunning 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for an immersive viewing experience. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, paired with 12GB of RAM, delivers flagship-grade speed for gaming, productivity, and AI-powered tasks. This variant comes with a generous 512GB of internal storage, while the versatile triple rear camera system captures detailed photos and 8K videos. Combined with a durable premium build, long software support, and fast charging, the Galaxy S26 Plus is a compelling flagship for power users.

– Galaxy AI features

– Premium Armor Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass protection

– Seven years of Android OS and security updates

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G is a premium mid-range smartphone that delivers a balanced mix of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. It features a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and everyday use. It is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 processor and paired with 8GB of RAM. This variant includes 256GB of internal storage, providing ample room for apps, photos, and videos. A versatile 50MP triple rear camera system, IP67 durability, and a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging complete the package.

– IP67-rated water and dust resistance

– Galaxy AI features

– Samsung Knox security with up to six generations of Android OS upgrades

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G is Samsung’s flagship smartphone designed for users seeking the ultimate combination of performance, photography, productivity, and AI-powered experiences. It features a large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a high refresh rate, offering an immersive viewing experience with exceptional brightness and colour accuracy. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and paired with 12GB RAM, the smartphone delivers powerful performance for gaming, multitasking, and advanced AI tasks. The 256GB storage variant offers ample space for high-resolution media, while its advanced quad-camera setup with a high-resolution primary sensor and enhanced zoom capabilities targets photography enthusiasts. A large battery, fast charging, S Pen support, and premium titanium-inspired design make the Galaxy S26 Ultra a flagship built for power users. This smartphone got 14.5 million GVs in Q1 2026 and the highest demand in over ₹1L segment.

– AI-powered photography features

– Galaxy AI features

– Large battery with fast wired and wireless charging

The OnePlus Nord 6 5G is a performance-focused mid-range smartphone designed for users who want flagship-like speed, a premium display experience, and reliable cameras at a competitive price. It features a smooth AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, delivering vibrant visuals for gaming, streaming, and everyday usage. It is powered by a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and paired with 8GB RAM, the smartphone offers fast multitasking and efficient performance. The 256GB storage variant provides generous space for apps, games, photos, and videos, while the advanced camera setup, large battery, and OnePlus’ OxygenOS experience make it a well-rounded device for power users.

– Advanced rear camera system with AI-powered photography

– OxygenOS experience with a clean interface

– Premium design with durable build quality

The iQOO Z11x 5G is a value-focused smartphone built for users who want strong performance, long battery life, and a smooth entertainment experience without spending on a flagship device. It features a large high-refresh-rate display, a powerful MediaTek Dimensity processor, and 6GB RAM for efficient multitasking and gaming. The 128GB storage variant offers sufficient space for everyday apps, photos, and videos, while its high-resolution dual rear camera setup helps capture detailed images. With a massive battery, fast charging support, and iQOO’s performance-focused software optimisations, the Z11x 5G is designed for users seeking reliable daily performance. It received 4.9 million GVs in Q1 and highest conversion in budget 5G segment.

– Enhanced gaming features with performance optimisation

– Sleek design with a lightweight build

Ranking Summary

However, if you are looking for a premium smartphone at a slightly lower price, you can consider the Galaxy S26 Plus or Galaxy S26. At the same time, if are invested in Apple’s ecosystem, you should look at the iPhone 17e.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.