Smartphone prices rise in India again: Counterpoint says average phone prices were up 15% by the end of June 2026. In September, Apple raised the prices of older iPhones by up to 40%, and Samsung hiked the Galaxy S26 by ₹12,000. The main reason is the soaring cost of memory chips. Here is what changed, why it happened, and what you should do if you plan to buy a phone this festive season.
ChoicePilot is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Market-wide: average smartphone prices up 15% by end of Q2 2026 (Counterpoint)
- Apple: iPhone 17 256GB now ₹99,900 (was ₹82,900); iPhone Air 1TB up 40%
- Samsung: Galaxy S26 256GB now ₹99,999 (was ₹87,999) from 20 September
- Cause: memory chip costs up about 4.5x year-on-year
Smartphone Prices Rise in India: The 2026 Hikes
Phone prices usually fall over time, especially after a new model arrives. This year, however, the opposite has happened. According to Counterpoint data reported by The Core, about 95% of phone models got more expensive between January and July 2026. Then, in September, the two biggest premium brands raised prices again.
Apple’s iPhone price hikes
After its September event, Apple raised the prices of its older iPhones in India. Business Today and IANS reported these changes:
| Model | Old price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 256GB | ₹82,900 | ₹99,900 |
| iPhone 17 512GB | ₹1,02,900 | ₹1,24,900 |
| iPhone Air 256GB | ₹1,19,900 | ₹1,49,900 |
| iPhone Air 1TB | ₹1,59,900 | ₹2,24,900 (+40%) |
| iPhone 17e 256GB | ₹64,900 | ₹79,900 |
| iPhone 16 | ₹79,900 | ₹89,900 |
Prices as reported by Business Today and IANS on September 10, 2026. The sources differ on the iPhone 16 variant (128GB or 256GB).
In addition, the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max start ₹30,000 above the models they replace. You can see the full list in our iPhone 18 Pro India pricing report.
Samsung Galaxy S26 price hike
Samsung raised the Galaxy S26 price from 20 September 2026, according to Cashify. The 12GB+256GB model went from ₹87,999 to ₹99,999, while the 12GB+512GB model went from ₹1,07,999 to ₹1,19,999. That is ₹12,000 more for both.
Why Smartphone Prices Rise in India
The biggest reason is memory. Phones need RAM and storage chips, and the same chips are in huge demand for AI data centres. As a result, memory chip prices are up about 4.5 times compared with last year, according to Counterpoint figures cited by The Core. Memory now makes up roughly 40–45% of a phone’s cost, compared with about 12% before.
India has been hit harder than many markets. Counterpoint analyst Tarun Pathak told IANS that Indian iPhone prices rose 20–30%, while the global average was only 8–10%. He pointed to three reasons: memory costs, a weaker rupee and higher local production costs. Meanwhile, budget phones are hurting the most. IDC says Indian phone shipments fell 11.1% in the first half of 2026, and sales of phones under $100 (about ₹8,500) fell 74% in the second quarter.
Hidden price rises: spec downgrades
Not every price rise shows up on the price tag. The Core reports that some brands are going back to LCD screens instead of AMOLED, or launching 4G-only models, to keep prices down. So a new budget phone may cost the same as last year’s model but offer less.
How Smartphone Prices Rise in India Affects Different Buyers
The impact is not the same for everyone. Premium buyers are seeing the biggest rupee jumps. For example, the iPhone Air 1TB now costs ₹65,000 more than before, and the new Pro iPhones start ₹30,000 higher. Still, people in this segment usually have the option of buying last year’s model at a discount.
Budget buyers face a different problem. Instead of only higher prices, they get fewer choices. Because memory is now such a big part of the cost, a cheap phone has much less room to absorb the increase. That is one reason sales of phones under about ₹8,500 dropped so sharply in the second quarter, according to IDC.
Mid-range buyers sit in between. Many new phones in the ₹20,000–₹40,000 range now cost more than their predecessors, while some keep the price but cut a feature. So it is worth comparing a new mid-ranger with a discounted older model from a better tier.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Average price rise | 15% by end of Q2 2026 (Counterpoint) |
| Models that got costlier | About 95% (Jan–Jul 2026) |
| Memory chip cost | Up about 4.5x year-on-year |
| Memory share of phone cost | 40–45% (was about 12%) |
| India shipments, H1 2026 | Down 11.1% (IDC) |
| Sub-$100 phones, Q2 2026 | Down 74% (IDC) |
Where to Find Lower Prices Right Now
The festive sales are softening the blow for now. For example, Amazon has announced the iPhone 16 at ₹71,999 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra at ₹84,999 during its Great Indian Festival. Similarly, Flipkart is teasing big iPhone 17 offers in its Big Billion Days sale. When we checked Amazon.in, these older iPhones were listed below Apple’s new prices:
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express your…
- TAKE TOTAL CAMERA CONTROL — Camera Control gives you an easier way to quickly access camera tools, like zoom or depth of…
- GET FURTHER AND CLOSER — The improved Ultra Wide camera with autofocus lets you take incredibly detailed macro photos an…
The iPhone 16 (128GB) was listed at ₹76,999, rated 4.5★ by 2,700+ buyers, while Apple’s new price is ₹89,900.
- SAY HELLO TO A GOOD BUY — iPhone 17e comes with many of the same great features as iPhone 17 at a wallet-friendly price.
- DURABLE DESIGN. BRILLIANT DISPLAY — Stunning 15.40 cm (6.1″) Super Retina XDR display. Ceramic Shield 2 front with 3x be…
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — Text, browse and binge movies and shows for hours on end.
The iPhone 17e (256GB) was listed at ₹71,999, compared with Apple’s new ₹79,900 price. It has a 4.4★ rating from about 170 buyers.
Will Smartphone Prices Rise in India Again?
The short answer is that more increases are likely. Analysts quoted by The Core expect memory costs to stay high for one to two years. In addition, 91mobiles says the next wave of Android flagships will probably cost more than the phones they replace. So far, the pattern fits: the Galaxy S26 FE launched at ₹79,999, which is ₹20,000 above the S25 FE’s launch price. You can read more in our Galaxy S26 FE launch report.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
If you need a phone in the next few months, buying during the festive sales is probably wise. Analysts quoted by The Core expect no relief in memory costs for one to two years. Therefore, today’s discounted prices may be lower than what you pay after Diwali. Also, new flagships launching soon are expected to cost more than the models they replace, as our list of upcoming phones explains.
- Buy last year’s flagship on sale: it often gives better value than a new mid-range phone.
- Read the spec sheet: check for AMOLED versus LCD, 5G support and storage type.
- Do not overpay for storage: 128GB is enough for many people who use cloud backup.
- Keep your phone longer: a new battery and a good case can add a year or two of life.
Budget buyers can still find good options. See our picks for the best phone under ₹20,000 and the best phone under ₹30,000.
Related Guides
Smartphone Prices Rise in India: FAQs
Why do smartphone prices rise in India in 2026?
The main reason is memory chips, which cost about 4.5 times more than a year ago because of AI data-centre demand. A weaker rupee and higher local production costs also play a part.
How much did iPhone prices go up in India?
The iPhone 17 256GB rose from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900, and the iPhone Air 1TB went up by 40%. Counterpoint says Indian iPhone prices rose 20–30% overall.
Will phone prices come down soon?
Probably not. Analysts quoted by The Core expect no relief in memory costs for one to two years.
Is it a good time to buy a phone?
If you need one, the festive sales are a good time, because discounts help offset the hikes. Check variants and avoid inflated “effective price” claims.
This article is based on official announcements, retailer listings and published reports. Read how we review products.
Last updated: October 9, 2026. Prices and offers are as announced or listed on this date and may change.
1 Comment
Pingback: Phones Launching in November 2026 in India: Full List