Smartphone Prices Soar in 2026: Buyers Face Thinner Discounts, Higher Costs

• Smartphone buyers in 2026 face thinner discounts and higher prices, a trend expected to continue until April due to rising costs.
• Average smartphone prices have climbed 5-21% since mid-November, with the sub-Rs 20,000 segment being the hardest hit.
• Samsung, Vivo, and Nothing have already raised prices on various models; Samsung's Galaxy A-series and F-series saw hikes of Rs 1,000-Rs 2,000.
• Samsung also reduced promotional offers on premium devices like Galaxy S25 FE, S25, Fold & Flip 7, effectively increasing their cost by Rs 5,000.
• Rising component costs, currency volatility, and tighter chipset availability are cited as primary reasons for these price adjustments across brands including Apple and Oppo.

Why It Matters: Smartphone prices are rising across brands due to increased component costs and reduced discounts, impacting buyers.