Itel and Lava revive low-spec 4G phones as sub-₹10,000 demand holds

Itel and Lava are bringing back 2GB–3GB RAM 4G smartphones for India’s under-₹10,000 market, targeting demand in smaller towns as bigger handset brands shift toward premium devices amid higher component costs.

— Source publishedWed, 16 Sept, 2026, 07:37 IST·First seen Wed, 16 Sept, 2026, 09:43 IST·Source ET Retail

What happened

itel · Itel and Lava are reviving low-specification 4G smartphones to serve India’s under-₹10,000 segment as larger brands move premium amid rising component

Key facts

  • 2GB and 3GB RAM
  • 4G support
  • Under ₹10,000
  • Itel handset: 2GB RAM and 64GB storage
  • Lava handset: 3GB RAM and 64GB storage

Why this matters

Itel and Lava can capture underserved smaller-town demand by pairing ultra-affordable 4G devices with dependable retail availability, financing and service support ahead of the festive season.

What to watch

  • Festive-season sell-through of sub-₹10,000 4G models versus inventory build at regional distributors.
  • DRAM, NAND, display and entry-level chipset price movements that determine whether 2GB–3GB devices remain margin viable.
  • Share changes for Lava, Itel, Tecno and refurbished-phone sellers in tier-2, tier-3 and rural channels.
  • Major-brand price cuts, discontinued entry SKUs or renewed launches from Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme and Motorola below ₹10,000.
  • Growth in retailer-led EMIs, microfinance approvals and prepaid data bundles for entry smartphone purchases.