IndiaXiaomi’s Redmi 15C rose 36% in India in six months.
Omdia says Oppo’s sub-$100 shipments in Southeast Asia plunged 96%.
AI data centres are absorbing memory chips, and Chinese makers, 60% of shipments, are cutting entry-level lines for premium phones.
“What used to be below $150 may become below $250, or even $300,” said Ivan Lam, Counterpoint senior analyst.
The global mobile industry association fears pricier phones will undercut its forecast of nearly 800 million more internet users by 2030.
How each outlet framed it
- Rest of World leans critical
- maps regional smartphone price divergence (21% India, 19% Asia-Pacific, 5% U.S.) driven by AI memory shortage, warns of widening digital divide for first-time buyers
Sources: Rest of World