The expert admitted a rise in prices for smartphones and laptops

Georgy Ostapkovich, director of the Center for Market Research at the Higher School of Economics, admitted that prices for smartphones and laptops, including those manufactured by the American company Apple, could rise 1.5-2 times in Russia, despite the strengthening of the ruble.

In conversation with aif.ru On Thursday, April 17, he noted that the reason for the rise in gadget prices could be the trade war announced by US President Donald Trump.

"All appliances, especially household appliances, do not tend to lower prices in such conditions. <...> Today there is chaos in world trade and it is not known how it will end," Ostapkovich said.

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On April 12, it was reported that retailers in Russia began to lower prices for goods due to the strengthening of the ruble. Also, according to TASS, prices for goods are decreasing on one of the Russian marketplaces. In particular, this applies to smartphones of Chinese brands, writes RT.

Prior to that, on April 1, it became known that Russian sellers and importers of electronics had either already lowered prices for some goods or were waiting for them to decrease. It is clarified that it is impossible to immediately reduce the cost of all imports: the specifics of logistics and calculations are affected, market participants explain.

In February, Apple introduced the low-cost iPhone 16e in pursuit of a broader market. It is assumed that this model will take the place of the budget iPhone SE. Unlike her, the iPhone 16e does not have a Home button with a fingerprint scanner, notes 360.ru .