New Smartphones in India This Festive Season: What Has Launched, What Is Coming, and Why Prices Are Rising
vivo, OPPO and Redmi have launched new phones, iQOO has confirmed its next flagship for India, and big batteries are the trend. A global memory-chip shortage is pushing prices up.
If you are planning to buy a new phone during the festive sales, this is a busy moment. Several brands have launched phones in India in the first half of October, and the big flagship launches are expected by November. At the same time, a global shortage of memory chips is pushing up prices, especially for high-end models.
Here is a simple guide: what has launched, what is confirmed, and what is only rumoured.
Quick answer
- Launched: Redmi 17C 5G (from ₹20,999), and vivo V80 and vivo S2 FE (launched October 6), according to Smartprix.
- Confirmed for India, date not set: iQOO 16, announced by iQOO India's chief executive at the India Mobile Congress, and Motorola Edge 70 Neo.
- Expected late October or November: OPPO Find X10 series and vivo X500 series, based on reports.
- The trend: much bigger batteries, 7,000 to 10,000 mAh in some models.
- The worry: flagship prices are expected to rise because of costlier memory chips.
Phones that have already launched
Redmi 17C 5G went on sale on October 7. It has a 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip, a 50MP main camera and a 6,000 mAh battery, at ₹20,999 for 4GB/128GB and ₹22,999 for 6GB/128GB, according to Smartprix.
vivo V80 is aimed at people who want a strong camera in a slim phone. It has a 6.59-inch OLED screen, a 50MP main camera with stabilisation, a 50MP 3x telephoto lens for portraits, and a 7,200 mAh battery with 90W charging. Smartprix reported a price above ₹60,000.
vivo S2 FE focuses on battery life. Reports point to a battery of about 10,000 mAh and IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance.
Confirmed for India: iQOO 16
At the India Mobile Congress, iQOO India chief executive Nipun Marya confirmed that the iQOO 16 is coming to India, according to The Sunday Guardian. It uses Qualcomm's newest flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, built on a 2-nanometre process. In China, where it launched in late September, it has a 6.85-inch 2K screen, three 50MP cameras, an 8,400 mAh battery and 100W charging. The Indian launch is expected in November or December, and the price is expected to be close to ₹1 lakh, up from the iQOO 15's launch price of ₹85,999.
Expected soon
These are based on reports and leaks, so details may change:
- OPPO Find X10 series: expected around late October, with the Pro Max model tipped to have three 200MP cameras.
- vivo X500 series: expected in late October or early November.
- Motorola Edge 70 Neo: confirmed for India in October, without a date.
- OnePlus 16: launched in China on October 12; reports suggest India may get a different model first.
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: timing for India is unclear.
Why phones are getting more expensive
Phones need memory chips, both RAM and storage. The same chips are in huge demand for AI data centres, which are buying them in vast quantities. That has created a shortage and pushed up prices. Zoho's founder recently said data-centre server prices have roughly quadrupled; read our report on Zoho's pay freeze. For buyers, it means flagship phones launched this season may cost more than last year's models.
The big-battery trend
A few years ago, 5,000 mAh was considered large. This season, many new phones carry 7,000 mAh or more, thanks to newer silicon-carbon battery technology that stores more energy in the same space. A bigger battery means fewer charges, which is useful for long commutes and travel.
How to choose a phone without regret
- Decide your budget first, including any case, charger or extended warranty.
- Pick what matters to you most: camera, battery, gaming, or long software support.
- Check software update promises. Some brands now promise several years of Android updates, which keeps your phone secure for longer.
- Read reviews from more than one source once the phone is out, especially for camera and battery claims.
- Compare festive sale prices with bank offers, and watch out for "no-cost EMI" traps. Our guide explains how no-cost EMI really works.
- Last year's flagship can be a smart buy. With prices rising, a discounted older flagship may offer better value than a new mid-range phone.
For the bigger picture on mobile technology, read our report on India Mobile Congress 2026.
Prices and specifications are as reported at the time of writing and can change. This is not a paid recommendation.
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Sources
This article draws on the following reporting. Dates are when each source was originally published.
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