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Xiaomi, Realme and iQOO launched pricier phones in 2026, but upgrades may not justify costs. Apple and Samsung still lead, making older devices a smarter choice for many buyers.
Oppo, Realme and Xiaomi are part of the list.
The year 2026 has just started but there have been a few big phone launches already with more to come over the next few weeks. The general trend around the products have been trying to pack in more premium features to offset the higher price tags.
Brands like Xiaomi, Realme and iQOO among others have launched their respective phones, showing us a pattern that might be hard to avoid and that has a direct impact on how buyers decide to choose their next phone. But what if we tell you that old is really gold and keeping the current device around for a little while won’t be the worst idea? Did we get your attention, then read on.
2026 Phone Launches: More Price, More Upgrades?
The prices of the phones launched in late December 2025 and until now have been far higher than what you would have paid last year. Realme 16 Pro is priced above Rs 40,000 which wasn’t happening in early 2025, while iQOO 15 flagship device costs over Rs 70,000 this time around. Some of these have got definite upgrades but does that actually even out with the price hikes, we are not sure about that.
These are some big numbers for brands that will have to contest with the premium behemoths like Apple and Samsung. The market figures almost every year puts these two with a large lead and that has continued for a long time.
So, when an iQOO or even Realme ventures into these shores, the challenge is not just to convince the buyer about the brand but also the product and how much it costs. Nothing faced the same concerns with the Phone 3 flagship device which was priced at a level that shocked many. Do these new phones have enough to warrant these prices, certainly not for all of them.
Keep This One Longer
Unless it is an iPhone, chances are most people are using a phone that can easily hold the fort for at least one year if not more. And that means if these prices are scaring you, just continue using what you have rather than spending much more for not a lot. The iPhone 16 or 17 could be the exception in these cases and we hope that Apple can somehow offer its new and current models within the same range for a little longer.
The market is going through a major shift and most companies have warned about what’s to come and all the signs suggest that phone upgrade in 2026 might be costly and not exactly worth it.
Delhi, India, India
January 16, 2026, 09:15 IST
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