Smartphone upgrade expensive in 2026, prices of Realme and iQOO increased.

With the beginning of the year 2026, the hustle and bustle in the smartphone market has intensified. Many new smartphones have been launched in the first weeks of January and more devices are going to enter the market in the coming time. But this time the thing that attracts the most attention is the big jump in prices. Almost every brand is offering its new phones at a more premium price than before.

Brands like Xiaomi, Realme and iQOO have recently launched their new smartphones, whose prices are surprising to many users. For example, Realme’s new Pro model has now reached above Rs 40 thousand, which was not common till last year. Whereas iQOO’s flagship phone is coming at a price of more than Rs 70 thousand. The question is, are users getting that big of an upgrade in exchange for these increased prices?

Features like better processor, brighter display and faster charging are definitely available in some phones, but it is not necessary that every user feels the difference in daily use. Especially when most people are already using smartphones that still deliver smooth performance.

Brands like Apple and Samsung already have a strong hold in the premium segment. In such a situation, when brands like Realme or iQOO also launch phones around the same price, it becomes more difficult for them to convince users. Brands like Nothing have also made people think by increasing the price of their flagship phones.

Is it right to buy a phone in the new year or…?
To be honest, if you are not in a specific ecosystem like iPhone, your current phone can probably last comfortably for a year or more. In such a situation, it would not be wise for everyone to spend more money just in the name of new models in 2026.

Overall, looking at the current trend, it can be said that upgrading a smartphone in 2026 may prove to be an expensive deal, and using the old phone for some time may be a better option.