Smartphone prices in India up by 16%, entry-level phone shipments fall by record 65%

Smartphone prices are going up. But by how much? If you have been curious about this, a new report tries to give us an inside look—on the back of research and data—at how the ongoing memory crises along with other factors is impacting your next smartphone purchase. According to Counterpoint, smartphone prices have increased by a whopping 16 per cent on average in the first half of 2026. Expectedly, the surge in prices is resulting in fall of shipments with entry-level phones under Rs 10,000 hit the hardest.

Average selling price of smartphones sold in India in Q2, 2026 rose to a record $318, Counterpoint said in its new research report. This, the report attributes to, ongoing challenges such as rise in memory prices on account of limited consumer-facing availability as well as a weaker rupee that is making imports of crucial components more expensive than before. Phones under Rs 10,000 have been bearing the brunt majorly with up to 32 per cent hike on average, Counterpoint data has revealed.

The report then goes in-depth into the full extent of how these price fluctuations are affecting shipments. Entry-level model—those that cost less than Rs 10,000—obviously have the worst numbers with shipments falling by as high as 65 per cent YoY in H1 2026. Shipments of phone between Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000, historically the best performing segment, is also down by 20 per cent. Phones above Rs 20,000 however have been growing. The report says this is because of “higher launch prices, trade-in offers and no-cost EMIs that made pricier devices easier to afford.”

Amid all the seemingly doom and gloom, the report mentions that there is a silver lining. Counterpoint says while most smartphone brands have been passing on the cost to consumers, OnePlus bucked the trend by selling its phones at a relatively more conservative figure, which was about 8 per cent. The report says its biggest single price increase has been 12 per cent while the rest of the industry stood at 113 per cent. Counterpoint says it expects this trend to continue in Q3 2026 as well.- Ends

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