Xiaomi has raised prices on several of its smartphones and tablets, becoming the latest manufacturer to pass rising component expenses on to consumers. The world’s third-largest smartphone maker cited soaring memory costs and other component expenses that are becoming increasingly difficult to absorb.
The increases affect the Japanese market initially, though a wider rollout across other regions cannot be ruled out. The company remains among the leading phone brands globally, but sustained price rises could test that position.
The models affected by the increases
The 12/256GB Xiaomi 17T Pro is rising by ¥20,000 (around £110) to ¥139,800 (approximately £700), while the 512GB variant will reach ¥159,800 (roughly £800). The Poco X8 Pro Max is also receiving a ¥20,000 increase (around £110).
The new prices take effect on 1 September for Xiaomi devices and 4 September for the affected Poco models. The company, like many rivals, is feeling the impact of the ongoing chip shortage.
The wider memory shortage
The ongoing RAM shortage continues to push handset prices upwards, and devices have been arriving with higher price tags for many months. Two of the biggest players, Samsung and Apple, have also been affected.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 family illustrates the trend. The Galaxy S26 launched at £700 (up from £630 for the Galaxy S25), the Galaxy S26 Plus at £860 (up from £780 for the Galaxy S25 Plus), while the Galaxy S26 Ultra held steady at £1,020, matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra carries a 5,000mAh battery and a 10MP, 1/3.94in sensor camera.
Earlier, Apple raised prices on many of its Mac and iPad devices, and iPhone 17 models in some regions were also affected. There are strong indications that the iPhone 18 Pro could carry a significant price increase.
The situation is not confined to a single year. Chinese manufacturers, alongside Samsung and Apple, are all charging more for their devices, and the memory shortage is expected to extend until 2028. For those looking to avoid the rises, buying a handset at a discount remains one of the few available options, with the mid-range Motorola Edge (2025) currently among the models available at reduced prices.
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Image: phonearena.com
