Phone Prices Are Increasing: We Expect Longer Support for Older Xiaomi Devices

The era of affordable smartphone upgrades is officially on pause. With brands like OPPO and vivo already raising retail prices, the entire mobile industry is being hit hard by skyrocketing memory chip costs.

The Component Crisis & Manufacturer Dilemma

Memory suppliers like Samsung are in a “golden period,” with production expected to be completely sold out. Desperate smartphone brands are now rushing to sign guaranteed supply contracts extending all the way to 2030.

This creates a massive dilemma: manufacturers must either delay new models and pay exorbitant component costs, or rush releases and kill the lifespan of their previous flagships. Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing warns this unprecedented price surge will last until late 2027.

Industry Advice: Stick to Software

Former Xiaomi executive Wang Teng’s advice to the industry is clear.

Stop forcing minor hardware upgrades. Instead, brands should invest heavy resources into the software maintenance and optimization of older devices. Expect upcoming flagship models to launch at noticeably higher USD ($) price points globally.