It’s the year of smartphone price hikes
Smartphone prices, including Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro models, have seen widespread $100 increases across the industry, affecting major brands like Google and Samsung, as well as smaller players. These hikes are attributed to ongoing component shortages, particularly for RAM, driven by the demand from AI data center build-outs, a trend expected to persist for years.
Why it matters
The pervasive price increases signal a significant shift in the smartphone market, making new devices less accessible and potentially impacting consumer spending and the overall tech economy, with implications for the future of affordable technology.
Paying more for a new phone seems almost unavoidable after Apple’s event today. The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively — a $100 price hike over their predecessors. You can’t dodge the price hike by opting for an older iPhone, either, because Apple raised prices on those by $100, too. And it’s not just Apple. This year, the $100 price hike has been a trend across the industry.
Google and Samsung followed the same formula as Apple when they each launched new phones over the past few months. The Pixel 11 starts at $899, up from $799 for last year’s Pixel 10. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launched at $2,099, $100 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 it replaced.
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