The expert warned about an increase in prices for gadgets up to 30%

Dmitry Sidorkin, an entrepreneur, e-com specialist, and CEO of the Delivery importing company, told Izvestia on March 25 how prices for smartphones, laptops, and other electronics will change in the coming months.

According to him, in the spring of 2026, the electronics market will face a significant price increase. The price increase will affect both retail stores and marketplaces. The main factors will be the increase in the cost of components, the tax burden and logistical costs.

"First of all, the price increase will affect smartphones of the mid-range and premium segments, especially models with a large amount of internal memory. According to experts, the price increase may range from 15 to 30%," Sidorkin said.

The reason for the shortage of components was the active development of artificial intelligence technologies. Manufacturers are switching capacities to the production of chips for AI equipment, which is why the production of components for consumer electronics is declining.

Chip project: retailers were warned about a 10-30% increase in smartphone prices%

The AI boom has triggered a shortage of memory chips that will empty the wallets of gadget buyers.

In addition to increasing the cost of components, the cost of electronics is affected by increased regulation. Starting in 2026, the VAT rate in Russia will increase to 22%, customs regulations will be tightened and control over small businesses will be strengthened. In addition, from March 1, mandatory labeling of electronics in the Honest Sign system was introduced, and from September it is planned to launch a technological collection, which may affect up to 90% of market participants.

The expert noted that against the background of rising prices, a change in consumer habits is possible. Some customers will use their already purchased devices for longer, while others will switch to more affordable models. At the same time, the share of parallel imports may increase for the premium segment.

According to Sidorkin, price increases will become the new norm for the Russian market in the coming years — this is an adaptation to the changed economic conditions. The market is expected to stabilize by 2027-2028, with increased production of memory chips in Asia due to the launch of new factories. This may lead to a moderate decrease in prices by 2028-2029.

The expert advises to focus on the state of current devices. If the equipment is working properly, the purchase can be postponed for several years in order to purchase a more modern model later. However, if an upgrade is needed this year, it is better not to postpone the purchase. He calls the optimal time period until May 2026 — before further cost increases and the introduction of new fees.

On February 27, the Chinese Cailian Press agency reported that Chinese phone manufacturers will raise prices for their products in March due to the rise in price of memory chips. The sharp price increase is due to a reduction in global supply and a recovery in demand for consumer electronics. Fluctuations in the semiconductor industry are expected to continue to have an impact on retail prices.

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