On-device AI powers India’s smartphone revival

India’s smartphone market is entering a new growth phase driven by on-device artificial intelligence, according to Qualcomm India President Savi Soin.

In an interview at the India Mobile Congress 2025, Soin described this shift as the country’s “next G moment,” where, just as 3G, 4G, and 5G transformed connectivity, AI-enabled experiences will revolutionize how Indians use mobile devices.

After years of sluggish unit expansion, falling replacement cycles, and a mature mid-tier segment, Soin said that AI is now “moving beyond flagships” to mass-market phones, bringing advanced features like real-time translation, image enhancement, voice recognition, and local-language assistance to affordable devices. Qualcomm is working with Indian OEMs to enable these AI capabilities directly on-device through its Snapdragon platforms rather than through cloud computing.

This approach, Soin explained, will make smartphones more responsive, private, and power-efficient — a crucial advantage in India’s price-sensitive yet rapidly digitizing market. He added that “on-device AI is India’s big opportunity,” as it allows developers to innovate region-specific features such as vernacular virtual assistants and context-aware user experiences.

Beyond handsets, Qualcomm is extending AI integration into smart glasses, automotive systems, and industrial IoT, all powered by edge computing. The company is also collaborating with Indian policymakers and developers to accelerate edge AI adoption, strengthen local R&D, and train AI talent through initiatives like the Qualcomm AI Upskilling Programme.​

CT Bureau