Domestic smartphone prices across all categories rising, 2026 may usher in wave of price hikes as consumer pressure to upgrade increases

The Chinese smartphone market is experiencing a comprehensive price adjustment, with mainstream brands such as OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, OnePlus, and iQOO collectively announcing price increases. According to industry organizations Counterpoint and IDC, the average price of new models launched after March is expected to rise by 15%-25% compared to the same period in 2025, with the overall market increase around 18%, and flagship models exceeding 30%. This price hike across all categories marks a new pricing cycle for the domestic mobile phone industry.

This round of price adjustments shows clear segmentation: entry-level new models are increasing by at least 1,000 yuan, mid-to-high-end flagship models are concentrated in the 2,000-3,000 yuan range, and older models on sale are adjusted by 300-800 yuan. The 1TB storage versions see the most significant premium, with some models exceeding a 2,000 yuan increase. OPPO announced on March 10 that starting March 16, it will raise prices for certain models including OnePlus. Brands like vivo, Xiaomi, iQOO, and Honor also plan to adjust the prices of their older models simultaneously.

Rising supply chain costs are the main driver of this price increase. Industry sources report that DRAM and NAND flash memory prices have surged by 80%-95% and over 38%, respectively. The shift in AI computing demand has kept storage chip supplies tight. Meanwhile, costs for core components such as chip foundry services, screens, and batteries are also rising in tandem. Manufacturers can no longer absorb these costs through internal optimization, making price hikes inevitable.

Market dynamics are subtly changing. The entry-level segment is shrinking rapidly. For example, the Redmi Note 15 Pro, priced below 1,000 yuan in January, now costs 1,142.1 yuan even after national subsidies, an increase of about 200 yuan. Industry insiders note that the overall price increase across categories will further compress the low-price market space and prompt manufacturers to adjust their product strategies.

The trend of price increases has already begun to appear in 2025. Honor Power 2’s starting price rose by 700 yuan to 2,699 yuan compared to its predecessor. iQOO Z11 Turbo and Realme Neo8 were each raised by 600 yuan and 300 yuan, respectively. This ongoing upward shift in prices is reshaping consumer perceptions of smartphone pricing.

Industry analysts believe that this wave of price hikes could continue throughout 2026, and consumers should prepare for increased costs when upgrading their devices. However, this cost pressure may also accelerate industry transformation, encouraging manufacturers to shift from pure price competition toward technological innovation and user experience enhancement. For ordinary consumers, planning upgrade cycles carefully and taking advantage of official promotions are effective strategies to cope with rising prices.