Smartphones may become up to 15% costlier in 2026; Xiaomi, Realme and other brands raise prices
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): If you are planning to buy a new smartphone in 2026, this news may be worrying. Purchasing a mobile phone in the coming year could put extra pressure on your budget. The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) has warned that smartphone prices in India may increase by 10 to 15 percent in 2026.
Why are prices increasing?
The main reasons behind the price hike are the rising cost of memory components and continuous fluctuations in the USD-INR exchange rate. According to reports, smartphone prices had already gone up by nearly 10 percent in 2025, and the burden is expected to increase further in the new year.
Major brands start passing on the cost
AIMRA Chairman Kailash Lakhani said that rising input costs have created serious challenges for smartphone companies. Leading brands such as Xiaomi, Realme, Vivo and Oppo have already increased prices of their fast-selling models.
Impact of price hike seen in two ways:
Direct price increase: Some brands have raised the MRP of smartphones.
Withdrawal of offers: Several companies have stopped bank cashback deals, ended zero-interest EMI schemes and reduced support given to retailers instead of increasing prices directly.
Meetings with global tech leaders
Reports suggest that AIMRA’s chairman recently met global tech leaders, including Xiaomi’s Vice President and Realme’s CEO, in Hong Kong. The discussions focused on the future of the Indian smartphone market and concerns over rising prices.
Retailers hit hard as sales decline
The price increase has directly impacted the mainline mobile retail market. AIMRA and the Organised Retailers Association (ORA) stated that customer footfall has dropped sharply since Diwali. Compared to September and November, sales in December were significantly lower. Due to weak sales, many small and large retailers are struggling to pay staff salaries and shop rentals from their own pockets.
Advice for consumers
Experts believe that waiting until 2026 to buy a smartphone may not be a smart decision. To avoid higher prices, buying a phone before the end of 2025 could be a better option.