India, April 29 -- For years, buying a budget smartphone was simple-look at the price, check a few specs, and decide. But the latest CMR smartphone report signals something deeper is changing. Today's buyers, especially in the sub Rs.10,000 segment, are no longer chasing just affordability. They are looking for devices that last, perform consistently, and don't fail when needed most.

This shift is not subtle. It is clear, measurable, and growing across urban and emerging markets alike. Durability, reliability, and affordability are now moving together, not separately.

What stands out in the CMR smartphone report is how durability has moved from being a "good to have" feature to a core decision factor. Consumers are actively choosing dev...