India gets one of world's steepest iPhone price hikes
Apple has sharply increased iPhone prices in India, with hikes reaching up to 41%. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, up 22%. Other manufacturers, including Samsung, have also raised prices, with Samsung's Galaxy S26 series seeing increases of up to 17% and OnePlus limiting its price hikes to 12%. The price increases are attributed to rising component costs and a weaker rupee.
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- ✓ Average smartphone selling prices in India rose by 16% year-over-year in the first half of 2026.
- ✓ Entry-level devices saw an average price increase of 32% in the first half of 2026.
- ✓ Samsung has announced a price increase of up to 17% for its Galaxy S26 smartphone range in India.
- ✓ OnePlus managed to keep its price increase to just 8% in the first half of 2026.
What changed
Samsung has increased prices of its Galaxy S26 series in India, with a jump of up to $260, while Apple has sharply increased iPhone prices, with older models seeing significant price hikes.
Live updates
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India sees steep iPhone price hikes, up to 41%, and broader smartphone price increases
Apple has sharply increased iPhone prices in India, with hikes reaching up to 41%. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, up 22%. Other manufacturers, including Samsung, have also raised prices, with Samsung's Galaxy S26 series seeing increases of up to 17% and OnePlus limiting its price hikes to 12%. The price increases are attributed to rising component costs and a weaker rupee.
Why it matters
The price hikes in India are part of a broader trend of rising smartphone costs globally. The increases come amid a challenging festive season for smartphone brands in India, with rising memory costs, tighter component supply, and a weaker rupee contributing to the price hikes.
What is confirmed
- Average smartphone selling prices in India rose by 16% year-over-year in the first half of 2026.
- Entry-level devices saw an average price increase of 32% in the first half of 2026.
- Samsung has announced a price increase of up to 17% for its Galaxy S26 smartphone range in India.
- OnePlus managed to keep its price increase to just 8% in the first half of 2026.
- Apple's iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, up 22%.
Still unconfirmed
- Demand for iPhone 18 Pro is up in India because of higher prices.
What to watch next
- Apple's sales performance in India
- Further price hikes by other smartphone manufacturers
- Impact of price hikes on festive season sales
confidence 92%Sources used for this update (9)
- www.sammyfans.com — Samsung increased prices of Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra in India
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — India’s smartphone business may have lost an old festive-season weapon
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — iphone price increase: Latest News & Videos, Photos about ...
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — As iPhone upgrades get costlier, how trade-ins and financing options are 'changing'
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — OnePlus limits price hikes to 12% as rivals raise smartphone prices by up to 113%, report claims
- www.wionews.com — Apple hikes iPhone prices in India: Check new prices for ...
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — With new Macs, Apple aims to take on Microsoft, Nvidia in a rush to lower AI costs
- appleinsider.com — Demand for iPhone 18 Pro is up in India because of higher prices
- gadgets.beebom.com — Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra Prices in India ...
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Apple raises iPhone prices globally with steep hikes in India
Apple has increased prices for both new and older iPhone models, including the iPhone 16. India faces some of the most significant increases globally, with price hikes reaching up to 41% following the launch of new models. In other markets, some older models have seen costs rise by $100. These adjustments come amid a broader trend of rising smartphone costs this year and the introduction of new Apple hardware this week.
Why it matters
Price adjustments for older hardware are uncommon and typically signal shifts in manufacturing costs or market positioning. The scale of the Indian hike suggests specific regional economic pressures or tax changes affecting Apple's pricing strategy.
What is confirmed
- Apple raised prices on both new and older iPhone models.
- iPhone prices in India increased by up to 41%.
- Some older iPhone models increased in price by $100.
- Apple discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
What to watch next
- Sales data for iPhone 16 to determine if price hikes impact demand
- Official Apple explanation for the 41% price increase in India
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
- MacRumors — Apple Discontinues iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
- The Washington Post — Apple just raised prices on new and older iPhones. Here’s what they cost now.
- Reuters — India gets one of world's steepest iPhone price hikes
- PCMag — iPhone Price Hike Is Here: Older Models Now Up by $100, Even iPhone 16
- theverge.com — It’s the year of smartphone price hikes
- New York Post — The cost of every new Apple product that debuted this week — and the price hikes since last launch
- New York Magazine — New From Apple: Extremely Pricey iPhones and a Watch That Eavesdrops
- brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com — India gets one of world's steepest iPhone price hikes
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