Lucknow: Smartphone retailers in Lucknow are banking on Diwali sales to revive demand, but rising handset prices have made customers cautious about upgrading their devices.Buyers are considering budget and mid-range mobile phones, comparing prices and offers before purchasing. Retailers are hoping that festive discounts, exchange schemes and easy EMIs will help improve sales.According to market experts and dealers, demand for mobile phones is 20% to 30% lower compared to last year. Rising component costs have pushed manufacturers to increase handset prices by at least 20%, making smartphones less affordable for budget-conscious buyers.Several brands have also increased prices of existing models, while newly launched phones are costing more than their specifications.Mandeep Singh, a mobile phone retailer at Janpath Market, said, “Customers are checking prices and offers before making a decision. Many want to upgrade their phones during Diwali, but the final purchase depends on the price and discount available.”Another retailer, Faizi Hussain, said buyers in the budget segment are particularly cautious. “Exchange offers and easy monthly instalments can help, but customers still want a phone that fits their budget. ,” he said.Anshul Gupta, a buyer at a mobile phone store, said, “I was planning to upgrade to the latest model of my existing phone, which is now two years old. But with prices going up, I may opt for a lower-priced model from another brand instead.”Another buyer, Ashish Jaiswal, said, “I was planning to buy a particular tablet phone of the specific company this Diwali, but seeing the price hike, I have now changed my mind.”Finance companies are offering many schemes to attract the buyer with low-cost EMIs and gifts.Anil Kanoujia, a finance company executive, said, “Finance companies are offering cashback, gift hampers and low-cost EMI options this festive season. We are hopeful that sales will pick up in the coming days.”Dheeraj Jauhar, a functionary of the Mobile Phone Dealers Association, said Diwali was traditionally a key period for smartphone sales, but higher prices and cautious consumer spending had made business challenging this year. However, a surge in sales is expected around Dhanteras.Photos by Sunil
