Rising memory chip prices are pushing Chinese budget smartphones out of the sub-$150 segment in India, with new models expected to cost between $200 and $250. According to IDC, India smartphone shipments in H1 2026 reached 64.2 million units, with volume down 7.9% year-on-year but value up 3.6%, as average selling price hit a record $315. Samsung and Apple were the only major brands to gain market share, with shipments rising 0.4% and 0.7% respectively in Q2 2026, while Vivo fell 13.9%, Xiaomi dropped 10% and Realme crashed 14.2%. Memory chip prices have quadrupled since September 2025, hitting hardest the entry-level segment on which Chinese brands relied most.
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