Phones on shelves got 15% pricier in 2026 as memory costs spiked

Counterpoint Research says prices of already-released smartphones rose 15% on average in 2026, with India up 21% and new launches 25% pricier than their predecessors. The cause is memory: DRAM and NAND prices have quadrupled since Q4 2025, pushing makers to also cut storage and cameras.

• Average smartphone prices rose 15% in 2026, with India up 21% and the US up 5%
• New models cost 25% more than the phones they replaced
• DRAM and NAND prices have quadrupled since Q4 2025
• Over 40% of models saw price hikes, a first for the industry