Smartphone Prices Surge 21% in India as Memory Costs Push Up Handset Prices

NEW DELHI, Sep 9 : Mobile phone buyers in India are facing the steepest increase in handset prices globally this year, with rising memory costs prompting manufacturers to raise prices across segments.

According to global research by Counterpoint Research, average smartphone retail prices in India have increased by 21 per cent so far in 2026 compared with last year. The rise is significantly higher than the 15 per cent global increase recorded during the same period.

India is particularly vulnerable to rising component costs as a large share of its smartphone market is concentrated in the affordable and mid-range segments. Around 51 per cent of India's mobile phone market comprises devices priced below Rs 20,000.

Since smartphones in this segment operate on relatively tight margins, manufacturers have limited scope to absorb higher component costs. As a result, increases in input prices are more likely to be passed on to consumers.

Premium smartphones, generally priced above Rs 30,000, have seen comparatively lower price increases. Manufacturers in this segment have greater flexibility to absorb part of the additional costs, helping limit the impact on retail prices.

Markets with a larger share of premium smartphones, as well as those where handsets are commonly sold along with telecom plans, have recorded more moderate price increases.

China has registered a 10 per cent rise in smartphone prices, while prices in Europe and the US have increased by around 7 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. Across the Asia-Pacific region, prices have risen by 19 per cent, while the Middle East and Africa have recorded an 18 per cent increase. Latin America has seen a comparatively slower 16 per cent rise.

The impact is already being felt in India's smartphone market, with several major brands reportedly raising prices across their portfolios since August 18.

Realme has increased prices by around Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000 on several models. Oppo has raised prices by as much as Rs 5,000 on select Reno and A-series smartphones, while Vivo has reportedly increased prices by Rs 500 to Rs 4,000 on multiple devices in certain markets.

Samsung has also raised prices on selected S-series, M-series and F-series models. One variant of the Galaxy S25 has reportedly become Rs 12,000 more expensive. OnePlus, meanwhile, has increased prices on some smartphones by approximately Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000.

The latest price increases could make the sub-Rs 20,000 segment particularly challenging for consumers, as manufacturers have fewer options to offset rising component expenses without affecting retail prices.

With memory costs continuing to remain a key source of pressure, smartphone buyers could face further price adjustments if manufacturers continue to pass higher input costs through to retail prices.