Smartphone price hike: Nothing, Vivo and Realme raise prices by up to Rs 7,000

The memory shortage is taking a toll on almost every consumer tech company. Be it smartphones, laptops or any other consumer electronic device, companies are facing higher costs for memory due to a surge in demand, largely due to AI companies. And this has led to a hike in prices across some smartphones. With Nothing, Vivo and Realme becoming the latest companies to hike prices once again.

The three phonemakers have increased the price of various smartphones in their line-up. The price hike varies depending on the mode, ranging Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,000. This comes just days after Apple hiked prices of MacBooks and iPads by as much as Rs 1 lakh.

India Today Tech has reached out to Nothing, Vivo, and Realme for a comment. The story will be updated as and when they respond.

Vivo raises prices of 9 smartphones

Vivo's latest revision affects several smartphones across its line-up. This includes models in the company's flagship X series, premium mid-range V series, mid-range T series and budget Y series. The Vivo X300 FE has received the biggest increase in price. The device’s base 12GB/256GB variant, originally launched at Rs 79,999, is now listed for Rs 86,999. While the 12GB/512GB version has gone from Rs 89,999 to Rs 96,999.

For the Vivo V70 FE, the 8GB/128GB variant has risen from Rs 37,999 to Rs 41,999, the 8GB/256GB version has gone from Rs 40,999 to Rs 45,999, and the 12GB/256GB model now costs Rs 44,999, up from Rs 46,999.

You can check out the list of all Vivo devices that have received a price hike below:

Nothing hikes prices of Phone 4a series

Nothing has raised prices for the Phone 4a series by up to Rs 4,000. The Nothing Phone 4a now starts at Rs 39,999 for the base 8GB/128GB variant, which previously cost Rs 37,999. Do note that the device was originally launched for Rs 31,999.

As per tipster Sanju Choudhury, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro’s 8GB/256GB model is set to cost Rs 54,999, up from Rs 52,999. However, at the time of writing, the new price was not reflective on Nothing’s website or its retail partners.

Previously, Nothing co-founder and India president, Akis Evangelidis, told India Today Tech that memory prices have risen by as much as 8x compared to early last year. This has fundamentally changed how smartphones are designed and priced.

Realme 16, 16 Pro Plus get hikes, Realme 16 gets price cut

Realme has tweaked prices for three smartphones, but with a twist. The Realme 16 Pro Plus now starts at Rs 49,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant, up from Rs 46,999. The device was originally launched in India for Rs 39,999.

The Realme 16 has received a Rs 1,000 increase. The 8GB/128GB model now costs Rs 34,999 instead of Rs 33,999. The Realme 16 had a launch price of Rs 31,999.

However, the Realme 16 Pro has gone against this trend, and received a price cut. The device now starts at Rs 37,999 for the 8GB/128GB model, down from Rs 39,999. The Realme 16 Pro was launched in India at Rs 31,999.