2 weeks ago
Samsung May Raise Indian Foldable Prices Amid Memory Costs
Samsung has launched three expensive foldable phones in India.
The phones cost between Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 2.6 lakh.
Many people wanted them, with nearly 2.71 lakh pre-orders in only 72 hours.
A key phone ingredient called memory chips is becoming more expensive.
This could make the phones cost even more later.
Samsung says it has already paid some of the extra cost itself.
The company is also offering long-term zero-cost payment plans.
Analysts warn that memory shortages could reduce smartphone sales in India later in 2026.
Samsung may increase India prices for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 as memory-chip costs rise.
The three foldables are priced between Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 2.6 lakh and received nearly 2.71 lakh pre-orders in 72 hours.
Retailers and analysts expect higher memory-component costs to put further pressure on smartphone prices.
Samsung says it has absorbed a substantial share of rising costs to limit the impact on consumers.
Analysts forecast Indian smartphone shipment declines in the third and fourth quarters of 2026 because of the global memory shortage.
- Who
- Samsung, Indian retailers, industry analysts and smartphone consumers are involved.
- What
- Samsung may raise the prices of its latest foldable smartphones in India because memory-chip costs are increasing.
- Where
- India; Samsung President and CEO of Southwest Asia JB Park discussed the costs at a launch in London.
- When
- The devices were pre-ordered within 72 hours of launch; analysts expect broader effects in the third and fourth quarters of 2026.
- Why
- Rising demand and a global shortage of memory chips are increasing smartphone component and retail costs.
Arguments for higher prices
Arguments for limiting consumer impact
Passing on component costs
Arguments for higher prices
Retailers and analysts expect rising memory-chip costs to push device costs higher, potentially leading Samsung to pass part of the increase to buyers.
Arguments for limiting consumer impact
Samsung says it has absorbed a substantial portion of the increase so consumers do not bear the full impact.
Market and demand outlook
Arguments for higher prices
Analysts say the global memory shortage could drive up component and retail prices and contribute to smartphone shipment declines in India during Q3 and Q4 2026.
Arguments for limiting consumer impact
The latest Samsung foldables have drawn record demand, with nearly 2.71 lakh Indian pre-orders in 72 hours, and zero-cost EMI options may help make purchases more manageable.
Key facts
- Affected devices
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8
- Current price range
- Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 2.6 lakh
- Pre-orders
- Nearly 2.71 lakh units in India within 72 hours
- Potential price action
- Samsung may increase prices as memory-chip costs rise
- Samsung's response
- The company says it has absorbed a substantial portion of higher costs
- Payment support
- Long-tenure zero-cost EMI options are available in India
- Expected market impact
- Analysts forecast annual smartphone shipment declines in India during Q3 and Q4 2026
Quotes
JB Park
Samsung President and CEO, Southwest Asia
“If you compare how much they (competition) have increased the price, Samsung's increment is relatively lesser than competition because we have been absorbing the cost.”
freepressjournal.in
Abhilash Kumar
Lead Research Advisor (Director) at Smart Analytics Global
“The smartphone market in India will continue to see annual shipment decline in Q3 and Q4 2026, given the global memory shortage in the smartphone industry leading to prices increase.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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