Smartphones have been getting more expensive for a while now, and that trend is likely to continue in the near future, too. From Apple Inc.'s AAPL iPhone 15 series to Google Pixel 8 series and Samsung's Galaxy S24, most upcoming flagships are expected to see a price hike.
What Happened: Despite a decline in smartphone shipments – worse in the case of Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google Android phones than Apple, upcoming flagships are expected to get even more expensive.
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Apple is largely expected to hike the prices of its iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max by $100, but other reports suggest that we could see a price hike of up to $200. With that said, a $100 hike has wider consensus, and it's also Apple's first price hike in a long time – Apple hasn't hiked the price of its ‘Pro Max' iPhones since first introducing them in 2018.
Tipster Yogesh Brar had earlier suggested that Google's Pixel 8 series is expected to start at a higher price point of $649, up from Pixel 7's $599 starting price.
Now, Samsung's Galaxy S24 series, set to launch in early 2024, is also expected to get more expensive, but given that its launch is still a few months away, there's not much dough on it yet.
Situation Worse In The Android World: While Android phones have gotten expensive, too, it could get worse in the coming months.
The upcoming Qualcomm Inc. QCOM Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is rumored to be priced "a bit high". This will directly impact upcoming Android flagship phones from Samsung, OnePlus, and others.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's higher price has already driven up the prices of the current generation of Android flagships – Samsung's Galaxy S23 series has seen a price hike in some markets, although it has remained the same in the US. However, that could change with the Galaxy S24 series.
Some Android makers are reportedly considering sticking with the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset even in 2024, but it remains to be seen how everything pans out.
All said and done, flagship phones getting more expensive is a trend that will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
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