Croma releases Year‑End Consumer Trends 2025 report: Premium smartphones, AI laptops, big-screen TVs and more; How India shopped

Croma has released its Year‑End Consumer Trends 2025 report highlighting how consumers in the country are opting for multi-brand larger formats, premium features, smart convenience and health-focused appliances across Croma’s nationwide offline and online network.

As per the report, one in three new phones sold was in the Rs 20,000–Rs 30,000 price category. Similarly, the laptop market recorded a strong double digit overall growth. In the home entertainment segment, Bengaluru recorded the highest sales of 65-inch televisions. Here’s a look at how India shopped smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices

Smartphones stayed at the centre of upgrades

According to the report, India saw strong year-on-year growth in smartphone sales, with clear shifts in buying behaviour.

One in three new devices sold fell in the Rs 20,000– Rs 30,000 segment, while nearly one in five buyers opted for a flagship or ultra-premium model. While the Rs 50,000–Rs 58,000 segment grew over 300%, indicating a rise in aspirational upgrades and higher willingness to spend on devices positioned for content creation, gaming, and AI-driven use cases.The Silicon TriadThe laptop market posted double-digit growth, led by increased demand for premium and AI-focused devices.

The report notes that Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi formed India’s “Silicon Triad,” driving adoption of AI PCs and high-performance machines. Apple’s M4 laptops defined the top tier, while Nvidia-powered gaming systems continued to grow. Gaming laptops saw more than 25% growth in the pro-performance category. In mainstream computing, ultra-thin laptops doubled their growth as buyers preferred lightweight designs with stronger performance.Indian households upgraded to larger screens, reshaping home-entertainment patterns. Bengaluru registered the highest sales for 65-inch TVs, while Mumbai led demand for 75-inch and above displays. Gurugram emerged as the strongest market for 8K-ready televisions. Audio consumption also rose, with Delhi-NCR recording the highest demand for immersive sound systems, reinforcing the region’s status as a key hub for at-home social entertainment.

Home appliances shift toward premium

Cooling products remained steady through the year, shaped by clear city-specific trends. Delhi and Mumbai recorded almost equal demand for air conditioners, but efficiency preferences stood out: nationwide, one in four ACs sold was a 5-star model, while in Delhi it was nearly one in three. The report notes that this shift reflects both rising climate awareness and consumers choosing long-term savings through energy-efficient appliances.

Smart ACs made up 32% of total sales, and North India saw growing interest in all-season ACs that double as heaters while using significantly less power.Large home appliances continued to move up the value ladder. Front-load washing machines posted strong double-digit growth, led by Bengaluru and Pune—cities long associated with early adoption of premium appliances. In refrigerators, Delhi led demand for side-by-side models, followed by major metros including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, showing a rise in preference for larger-capacity units suited to changing lifestyle needs.Health-focused appliances also gained momentum. Air fryer sales grew nearly 38% year-on-year, with Mumbai at the forefront. Air purifiers expanded beyond Delhi-NCR into Mumbai and Bengaluru as worsening air quality pushed more households to invest in cleaner indoor environments. Water purifiers saw a notable rise as well, with Bengaluru becoming the biggest market, followed by Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad, reflecting increased awareness around water quality and daily health.Smart convenience emerged as the biggest breakout trend of the year. Automated and robotic appliances saw nearly 2X growth, with Bengaluru leading adoption and establishing itself as the country’s top market for home robotics.