Why are smartphones getting so expensive in 2026? Know the real reason
When you look at the prices of smartphones in 2026, you will definitely understand one thing clearly — the prices of phones are much higher than ever before. A few years ago, a good phone could be found for under 20,000 rupees, and flagship phones were also under 70,000 rupees. But now the situation has completely changed.The prices of all types of phones available in the market, be it low-budget mobile phones like Realme, Infinix or premium mobile phones like iPhone, Samsung, are going to increase.
Mid-range phones are touching 30-40 thousand, and the prices of premium phones are going above 1,20,000 rupees.
If you are wondering,
“Why are the prices increasing so much? The phones are the same as before!”
Let’s look at the real reasons in very simple terms.
1. Technology is advancing so fast — it’s very expensive
Today’s smartphones are much more powerful than phones from a few years ago. New processors, AI features, faster chips are all very expensive to make.
Companies have to spend billions of taka on research to make advanced chips like 3nm processors.
In addition, premium materials like titanium frames, toughened glass, ceramic backs are now being used in phones. These are durable, but they are not cheap. As a result, the price increase is natural.
2.Mobile cameras are now DSLR-level — hence the higher cost
One of the biggest reasons for the increase in phone prices is the increasing camera quality.
Today's phone users want to take DSLR-like photos on their phones. So brands are doing a lot of R&D behind it, adding larger sensors, advanced zoom lenses, periscope cameras, special image processing chips so that they can occupy more space in the minds of the customers.
And all of these are very expensive, which in turn hurts the pockets of the customers. For this, mobile companies have to pay a separate license fee when they partner with camera companies like Leica, Zeiss, Hasselblad.
All in all, the more camera improvements = higher prices.
3.The average price has increased as foldable phones enter the market
Foldable phones will become more popular in 2026 and the cost of making them is much higher. This is because the features used in these phones such as flexible OLED screens, UTG glass, hinge mechanisms are all very expensive technologies.
Even if you buy a regular phone, companies still take the cost of foldable R&D from other phones.
As a result, the price of non-foldable phones also increases.
4.Global production costs have increased much more than before:
This is a completely normal global economic issue. World politics is very turbulent right now, as a result
Chip, display, battery—the components that make up phones—are much more expensive than before.
In countries like China, Vietnam, and India where phones are made, labor and production costs have also increased.
Shipping costs, import taxes, and the dollar rate—all of these factors are forcing companies to raise prices.
5. Companies are now focusing more on making and selling premium Mobile phones:
Earlier, brands used to give more importance to budget phones.
Now they have understood that the profit margin on budget phones is very low. Because all types of phones cannot survive in the market without bringing new updates, so the profit margin is very low due to R&D costs and small budget and the need to add new features in between. To overcome this, companies have entered the premium segment.
Moreover, now people are inclined to use premium mobile phones. Mobile is now a part of their lifestyle.
Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi, OnePlus — everyone is now taking a premium strategy.
That is why phones priced at Rs 60,000+ are increasing.
Brands are now presenting phones as “long-term investments”.
The result? The budget of the common buyer is increasing due to price pressure.
6.5G, AI and new features are driving up costs
AI has had a huge impact on the market these days, forcing phone companies to add features that were unimaginable a few years ago
AI editing
On-device translation
More 5G bands
Satellite connectivity
Better security chips
Stronger water resistance
The more features, the higher the price.
Even software-based AI features require powerful hardware, which also incurs additional costs.
7.Now 5-7 years of software updates on phones — it's expensive for the company
Earlier, only 2-3 years of updates were provided.
Now many brands are providing 5-7 years of updates.This is good for us, but it increases the cost for the company.
Maintaining the software of old phones, testing, having an engineering team — all these increase the cost.
That cost is reflected in the price of the phone.
8.Marketing & Sponsorship:
It has also played a vital role in increasing prices. Nowadays, mobile launches mean big events with celebrities. Apart from this, companies spend crores of taka on TV ads and various sponsorships. The higher the marketing costs, the greater the impact on the price of mobile phones.
9.Consumer Demand of Features:
Consumers themselves demand too many features. This is another reality—buyer demand is also the reason for the price.
Everyone wants - Good camera, big battery, fast charging, best display.
A premium design, also a lightweight phone that is user-friendly.
If you want so much, the price naturally cannot be low.
As brands try to meet all the demands, the phone becomes very expensive.
10.People are changing phones less now:
Previously, phones were replaced after 1-2 years.Now phones last a long time, so many people use the same phone for 3-4 years.
As a result, sales for companies decrease.
To compensate for this loss, the price of new phones is increased.
11.Will prices increase or decrease after 2026?
Smartphone prices may increase further in the next few years. But there are some positive aspects too
✔ Foldable phone prices will gradually decrease
✔ More competition in the mid-range
✔ AI will also come to budget phones
That is, even though premium phones are expensive, opportunities will increase in the budget and mid-range.
12.What should you do as a regular buyer?
Buy on sale or offer Choose a flagship model from the previous year Use exchange offers Don't be swayed by unnecessary features Buy when the price of an old model drops during a new launch
13. Conclusion:
All information is about th
e basis of assumption and self experience. As per Market Research The prices of mobile phones in all segments will increase in 2026.
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