Even as global smartphone companies bet big on India, a survey by Pew Research Centre said only 24 percent adults in India own a smartphone, which is worse than Nigeria, Tunisia and Kenya.

India ranks lowest in smartphone penetration among the 27 nations that were surveyed, including nine emerging economies, the survey said.

The research report found strong majorities of adults using smartphones in the world's wealthier countries, led by 95 percent adoption in South Korea and 88 percent in Israel.