2026 is already shaping up to be a bad year to buy a new smartphone

TL;DR

• A new Counterpoint Research report predicts that smartphone prices will rise in 2026, with average selling prices increasing by as much as 6.9% as memory costs surge.
• The same report points to shrinking shipments and higher manufacturing costs, pushing smartphone makers to potentially cut specs like RAM and limit budget options.
• For consumers, this means phones launching next year will be pricier while offering fewer meaningful upgrades.