Indian population seeks value, and are pretty smart about their choice of investment. An iphone even though is much costlier in India, has longer os / security updates than any budget phone. So over a period of time, this would translate to a higher value for the device and hence the purchasing decision. Usually Indians try to ascertain the price to value ratio (something that Nothing phone ceo has acknowledged publicly) while making these decisions.
Definitely Fairphone has the appeal of repairability (which again is valuable for the average Indian) and the longer os / security updates are a boon.
At the bare minimum, all smartphones should allow for easy battery replacement like they do in Fairphone. (This was the norm, before the iphones and the androids took over)
they are all disappointed with the camera and build quality in general but cherish the fairness.
Also, the phone industry, especially the biggies are into planned obsolescence of their products in pursuit of more and more profits. I personally do not prefer replacing my phone every few years, and going through the hassle of backing up the files and setting up the new phone etc. I want a device that just works and isn't a botheration to maintain and upkeep for long.
The lifespan of products were much longer not too long ago, before the corporate interests figured out planned obsolescence. I remember as a kid, the products we purchased at our home, lasted much through my adolescence and into my adult life. For example, the radio which we bought worked for years without wasting much time of fixing it up every now and then, just a couple of batteries would last a really long time. All it needed was large batteries. I would prefer products that have a longer lifespan than being at the cutting edge, and wasting precious time chasing the latest and greatest. I have better interests to attend to :)