Rising Chip and Phone Costs
Qualcomm Raises Chip Prices as Apple Expands Its Premium iPhone Lineup
Anonymous
Qualcomm is raising chip prices by a double-digit percentage amid higher supplier costs and a global memory shortage, while introducing an ultra-premium Snapdragon tier with enhanced graphics, cooling and on-device AI. The cost pressures come as Apple sells its latest Pro phones and first foldable at premium prices: the foldable iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the U.S., with converted prices exceeding $4,000 in Türkiye and Brazil, while Chinese consumers have called its price steep relative to local incomes. Early sales checks in India put demand for iPhone 18 Pro models nearly 20% above the previous generation’s pace, though the estimate is not a final sales tally; analysts have projected Apple could reach 10% of India’s smartphone market in 2026. Indian promotions may reduce the cost of Apple phones: reports list the iPhone 17 at Rs 84,999 on Flipkart before eligible offers, and an India iStore promotion could lower the iPhone 18 Pro’s effective price by up to Rs 57,000, subject to qualifying bank cards and an eligible trade-in. Higher device-making costs may limit Apple’s gains from premium pricing.
Key Points
1
Qualcomm told chip-buying companies in late July that its double-digit price increases would take effect after September 1. The company said it had exhausted its ability to absorb supplier cost increases and had already tried sourcing parts from new suppliers to contain costs.
2
Qualcomm says the new Extreme chip’s AI graphics cores can generate in-between frames for games, while relocating memory away from the chip’s hottest areas is intended to help phones sustain peak speed longer before thermal slowdown.
3
The iPhone 17 sale listing describes a 120Hz OLED display, Apple’s A19 chip, two 48-megapixel rear cameras and an 18-megapixel front camera; the article also says bank offers could take Rs 2,000 off and an exchange could save up to another Rs 3,000.
4
The India iStore’s example for the maximum iPhone 18 Pro discount assumes trading in an iPhone 15 Pro 128GB in good condition for Rs 40,000, plus a Rs 10,000 exchange bonus; the article cautions that trade-in value depends on the device and its condition.
5
Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale is scheduled to open to most customers on October 9, 2026, with Plus and Black members receiving access from October 8. The article says the iPhone 17 could reach Rs 79,999 after applicable offers.
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