GoKawiilApple, Google, Samsung and others hike smartphone prices by $100 across the board
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro models launch $100 more expensive than last year, mirroring similar $100 increases from Google's Pixel 11, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Motorola's Razr lineup, and Sony's Xperia 10 VIII. Apple also raised prices on its older iPhone models still for sale, closing off any workaround for budget-conscious buyers.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These increases trace back to component shortages, especially RAM, driven by AI data center demand consuming manufacturing capacity that would otherwise supply consumer electronics. With Qualcomm also raising chip prices and no relief expected soon, cheaper phone tiers may vanish entirely, reshaping what affordable smartphones look like for years.
- Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and Motorola all raised new phone prices by roughly $100 this year.
- AI-driven data center demand is squeezing RAM and component supply, doubling memory costs in some cases.
- Budget smartphone options under $100 are shrinking as price hikes spread industry-wide with no clear end date.
Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W, USB-C) — If new phone prices have you holding onto your current handset another year, a compact battery pack is the cheapest way to make an aging phone feel usable again. The Anker Nano plugs straight into USB-C with a built-in connector, so there's no extra cable to carry. It's a small buy that helps you skip a $100 price hike.
See Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W, USB-C) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Stevie Bonifield, 2026-09-09
Published there as: “It’s the year of smartphone price hikes”
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