Generative artificial intelligence has achieved widespread adoption among Indian smartphone users, with 71% now using Gen AI features multiple times every week, according to a new study by CyberMedia Research (CMR). The report, based on a survey of more than 2,000 smartphone users aged 18-35 across eight Indian cities, reveals that AI has moved beyond experimental use to become central to the smartphone experience. As reported by Business Standard, this represents a significant shift from AI being a novel feature to becoming a critical purchase consideration. The study also reveals that 57% of consumers clearly understand and actively use AI features, while 43% engage only partially, indicating varying levels of AI literacy among users.
AI capabilities are increasingly influencing smartphone purchase decisions, with 59% of respondents identifying AI features as a key purchase factor, ranking alongside traditional considerations. According to the CMR Smartphone AI Pulse 2026 study, performance remains the most important criterion at 78%, followed by camera quality at 70%. The survey found that 68% of respondents expect AI features in their next smartphone, with 60% preferring a balance between strong hardware and AI capabilities when choosing between similarly priced devices. The moderate user segment, representing 41% of respondents, is identified as key to untapped potential for the smartphone industry, as they demonstrate consistent but not heavy AI usage patterns.
AI-powered photography continues to be the most widely adopted smartphone AI feature, with 77% of respondents actively using AI imaging features including low-light enhancement, portrait optimization, and scene detection. Meanwhile, 71% use generative AI features several times a week for tasks such as AI-assisted search, writing, summarization, translation, and conversational assistants. The study found significant differences across user groups, with 49% being heavy AI users who regularly use five or more AI features, while 41% are moderate users and 10% use AI only occasionally. According to CMR, this demonstrates how AI adoption extends beyond casual users to specialized groups who require advanced AI capabilities for their specific needs.
Gamers emerged as the most active AI users, with 91% using AI-enabled gaming features, followed by content creators at 86% and professionals at 80%. The study highlights that AI usage varies significantly across different user segments, with heavy users regularly employing five or more AI features. According to CMR, this demonstrates how AI adoption extends beyond casual users to specialized groups who require advanced AI capabilities for their specific needs. The report also draws a sharp divide between generational users, with 72% of Gen Z consumers feeling AI is a driving factor for their next smartphone purchase compared to 65% of millennials.
As AI usage grows, consumers are placing greater emphasis on privacy and transparency, with 82% saying transparent data collection practices would improve trust in smartphone AI. The study found that 61% believe on-device AI processing improves both privacy and responsiveness. Consumer awareness of hardware requirements for AI is also increasing, with 68% considering chipsets important for enabling AI performance and 69% identifying chipsets as key enablers of AI experiences across gaming, smoothness, image quality, responsiveness, and battery optimization. Gen Z consumers showed the highest awareness, with 83% recognizing the role of chipsets in AI-enabled smartphones. As CMR analyst Sourabh Pandey noted, "As AI utility deepens and consumer literacy around chipsets and on-device processing grows, the competitive battleground is moving from hardware specifications to experiential trust."
