Smartphone Prices Soar in 2026: Samsung, Vivo, Apple Hit Buyers Hard

• Smartphone prices increased 5-21% since Nov 2025, with budget phones under ₹20,000 most affected.
• Samsung (Galaxy A, F series), Vivo (Y series), and Nothing (Phone (3a) Lite) raised prices directly.
• Apple (iPhone 17 series) and Samsung (Galaxy S25, Fold-Flip) reduced cashback/upgrade offers, making purchases effectively costlier.
• Reasons for price hikes include weakening Rupee, rising RAM/ROM costs, and limited chipset availability.
• Experts predict price increases will continue until at least April 2026, with companies focusing on premium segments.

Why It Matters: Expect higher costs for smartphones in 2026 due to rising expenses and reduced offers.