Tech Desk July 14, 2026 at 12:34 PM 2 min readtechanalysis

CMR Study Reveals High Adoption of Generative AI Features

High AI Adoption Rates:

A new study by CMR highlights that 71% of smartphone users in India are actively engaging with generative artificial intelligence features integrated into their devices. The findings suggest that AI is transitioning from a high-end niche capability to a mainstream expectation for device owners across the country.

Driver of Smartphone Growth:

The rapid adoption is largely driven by the integration of AI tools directly into camera software, productivity suites, and virtual assistants. These features, which allow users to edit photos, summarize text, and generate creative content on-the-fly, have become critical differentiators for hardware manufacturers aiming to capture market share in a competitive smartphone market.

Future Market Strategy:

As consumer behavior shifts, smartphone companies are expected to prioritize AI-ready hardware in their upcoming lineups to maintain relevance. This trend is particularly significant for India, where the shift to AI-centric devices is occurring rapidly as users look to boost personal productivity and creative output through mobile technology, signaling a permanent change in how devices are marketed and used.
Pulse Intelligence
Context & Impact
  • Generative AI features have been a central focus for major smartphone manufacturers over the past two years.
  • Indian smartphone market penetration has historically been driven by hardware specifications, but software-based intelligence is now taking precedence.
  • Smartphone manufacturers will likely increase marketing spend highlighting AI-specific capabilities.
  • Mid-range devices may soon feature advanced AI tools previously exclusive to premium flagships.
  • Software developers will focus more on optimizing AI applications for mobile-first user experiences.

Smartphone manufacturers are expected to see increased demand for high-end chipsets capable of on-device AI processing.