Realme, vivo and Nothing raised prices on several smartphones in India in mid-2026, with increases of ₹1,000 to ₹7,000 per model, as memory chip costs climbed. The rises came in several rounds between May and August rather than as one industry-wide percentage increase.
Key facts
- Realme: ₹1,000 per variant on six models from May 1; P4 series from May 26; another round from August 18 (Realme 16 Pro+ up ₹4,000)
- vivo: up to ₹7,000 on some models, including the T5 Pro
- Nothing: selected models more expensive from early July
- Earlier in 2026: Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and others also revised prices
Why brands are raising prices
Realme's message to dealers cited an unavoidable increase in memory, chipset and overall ecosystem costs. Analysts link the rise to AI data centres absorbing DRAM and NAND supply. Counterpoint says memory prices rose nearly fourfold from September 2025.
What it means for retailers
Repeated price revisions mean shelf prices and online listings change often. Dealers need to update price lists after each brand circular and explain to customers why a phone costs more than at launch.
Frequently asked questions
Which brands raised phone prices in India in 2026?
Realme, vivo and Nothing in mid-2026, after Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and others earlier in the year.
How much did prices rise?
Typically ₹1,000 to ₹7,000 per model, depending on the phone.
Sources: Trak.in, TelecomTalk, Smartprix (vivo T5 Pro), Analytics Insight (Realme).
Correction (October 26, 2026): An earlier version of this article described a 20% price surge. Reported increases were ₹1,000 to ₹7,000 per model across several rounds. The article has been rewritten.
