Memory chip crunch squeezes India's sub-Rs 25,000 smartphone segment as prices climb
A memory chip supply shortage is pushing up handset prices across India's mid-range market. Ten current models from Poco, Realme, iQOO, Motorola, Vivo, Xiaomi and Samsung still fit the under-Rs 25,000 band, spanning Rs 18,999 to Rs 24,999, amid sale-season buying.
What happened
Various smartphone brands · Memory chip supply crunch is pushing up smartphone prices in India, squeezing the mid-range under-Rs 25,000 segment. Piece lists ten
Key facts
- Rs 18,999
- Rs 19,999
- Rs 21,999
- Rs 22,999
- Rs 23,999
- Rs 24,999
- Rs 24,499
- Rs 25,000 price band
- 7000mAh battery
Why this matters
Component cost inflation squeezing the crowded sub-Rs 25,000 tier could accelerate consolidation and supply-chain partnerships as weaker OEMs struggle to hold the under-Rs 25,000 price ceiling.
What to watch
- DRAM/NAND contract price indices and supplier capacity guidance
- Number of models remaining under Rs 25,000 quarter-over-quarter (currently 10)
- OEM MRP revisions or variant delistings on major e-commerce platforms
- Festive/sale-season sell-through and inventory days
- INR/USD movement amplifying imported component costs
- OEMs push exchange bonuses, no-cost EMI and bank cashback to preserve effective sub-Rs 25,000 pricing without cutting list price
- Brands rebalance SKUs toward higher-margin 5G models and quietly discontinue thin-margin base variants
- Retailers front-load inventory ahead of expected cost pass-through, clearing older stock during sale season
- Component-secure players (Samsung, Xiaomi with scale) may hold price to grab share from smaller brands