Smartphone Shock: Samsung, Vivo, Nothing Hike Prices Up to 21% in 2026

• Major smartphone brands like Samsung, Vivo, and Nothing have initiated significant price hikes, ranging from 5% to 21%, starting 2026, following 2025 Diwali sales.
• The increases are driven by rising component costs (RAM, ROM, chipsets) and a weakening rupee, with experts expecting them to last until April.
• Samsung adjusted prices across its Galaxy A, F, and M series, with Galaxy A56 5G seeing a Rs 2,000 hike, and reduced cashback offers effectively making devices Rs 5,000 costlier.
• Vivo increased Y31 prices by up to Rs 2,000, and Nothing added Rs 1,000 to its Phone (3a) Lite, while Oppo's Reno15 series is also expected to launch higher.
• The sub-Rs 20,000 segment is most vulnerable, and even premium brands like Apple have slashed iPhone 17 cashback, signaling a shift towards higher profit margins and reduced consumer discounts.

Why It Matters: Smartphone prices are rising across segments due to cost pressures, ending deep discounts for consumers.