Counterpoint Research suggests strong preference for flagship-grade compact phones in India

In a survey by Counterpoint Research commissioned by OnePlus, 88% of the respondents seemingly would be up for purchasing a compact smartphone if it offered similar performance as a flagship. The survey was conducted among over 2,000 young emerging professionals and early jobbers in India.

The number includes 57% of respondents who said they were very likely to do so and 31% that were somewhat likely. Only a single-digit percentage was either neutral or wasn't interested in such a device.

The study also reveals that 68% agree that there aren't enough options available on the market that fit these requirements. Also, over half of them prioritized performance and battery life while choosing a compact phone and 73% consider it very important that the phone is operational with one hand.

Out of all the participants, 11% want a device with a display size that is below 6 inches and 29% who prefer it to be greater than 6.5 inches. Meanwhile, 60% would like it somewhere in-between. Finally, the consumer seemed to prefer Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus for their next compact smartphone purchase.

Setting aside the fact that the survey was commissioned by OnePlus and also the impetus to do so at present, the results seem at odds with existing market trends. If there is one thing that customers seemed to have unequivocally agreed upon over the past decade or so is that they want bigger phones. Apple learned this the hard way when it started selling the iPhone mini in 2020 based on the opinions of a vocal minority, only to take an unprecedented decision to discontinue it just two years later due to poor sales. Even Samsung, which sells one of the few flagship-grade compact phones, routinely sees the much bigger and more expensive models in the same series outsell it.

The lack of options on the market that the study points out is the result of this lack of demand, not the reason for it. If the two biggest smartphone manufacturers cannot convince you to purchase a compact flagship smartphone, what chance do the smaller brands have? Sony and Asus tried for a while and we all saw how that went.

So forgive us for taking this report with a grain of salt. Until customers start putting their money where their mouth is and actually start buying the flagship compact phones they so seemingly desire, they will continue to be labeled as a vocal minority.