Costlier reminiscence chips could set off worth shock: Smartphone, TV and laptop computer costs may rise by 4–8%

Prices of smartphones, televisions, and laptops are anticipated to rise by as a lot as 4-8% over the following two months, including to a pointy improve of as much as 21% in November-December, in accordance with trade executives and market specialists.

Smartphone makers are dealing with the impression of rising demand for reminiscence chips amid accelerated adoption of synthetic intelligence and high-performance computing, driving costs larger.

Worse, trade executives predict such worth hikes could change into the norm each quarter, or every single month this calendar yr.

Market tracker Counterpoint Research mentioned the reminiscence market has entered a “hyper-bull” part whereby after a 50% surge in costs final quarter, it is going to go up by an additional 40-50% this quarter, and one other 20% in April-June.

“Some of the smartphone brands like Vivo and Nothing have raised prices by ₹3,000-5,000 in January, while others like Samsung are making indirect efforts like cutting down on cash backs and discounts,” mentioned Tarun Pathak, analysis director at Counterpoint Research.

“Memory prices are likely to continue to surge in 2026 and even next year. While brands will account for this in new launches, there could be shrinkflation too whereby they may cut corners on some components like display,” he mentioned.Phone producers mentioned provides of reminiscence chips have change into a problem. For occasion, Super Plastronics, which sells televisions below Kodak, Thomson, and Blaupunkt manufacturers, is at present managing to safe solely a few tenth of its orders for reminiscence chips.

“We increased prices by 7% in November, now increasing by 10% this month, and another 4% is planned in February,” mentioned Avneet Singh Marwah, chief government at Super Plastronics. “In fact, discounts will be one of the lowest in the upcoming Republic Day sales.”

Retail chains mentioned laptop computer costs have already gone up by 5-8% and massive tv manufacturers have indicated imminent worth will increase. “This price increase will impact immediate demand,” mentioned Pulkit Baid, director at Great Eastern Retail.

As per cell phone retailer physique, All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), smartphone costs rose by 3-21% in November-December. The physique, which represents over 150,000 shops, mentioned indications from manufacturers undertaking complete costs may rise by 30% within the coming months.

“This price shock is expected to lead to a significant contraction in the market, with 2026 shipment volumes projected to drop by 10-12%,” mentioned Kailash Lakhyani, chairman of AIMRA. “The most significant impact will be felt in the sub-₹ 20,000 segment, which represents the highest sales volume in India. Consumers are already in a wait-and-watch mode.”

Counterpoint too mentioned India could witness a sharper drop in smartphone gross sales in 2026 than its projected 2% decline because of improve in reminiscence chip and consequent handset costs. A weaker rupee towards the US greenback has additionally emerged as a double whammy for corporations.

According to Counterpoint, 4GB RDIMM costs jumped from $255 within the September quarter of 2025 to $450 within the December quarter, probably reaching $700 by March 2026.