Apple has lifted the price of most of its hardware, from the Apple TV and HomePod to the iPad and Vision Pro. iPhones remain exempt until September, when the company plans to adjust the line as well. The price hikes coincide with a sharp climb in memory prices that has already pushed the sub‑$400 smartphone market down more than 22% year‑on‑year.

Omdia analysis shows that mid‑to‑low‑end Android devices are becoming unprofitable as memory costs rise. Manufacturers are withdrawing models below $400, tightening the segment that once supplied the world’s most affordable phones. As retail prices climb, the low‑budget space shrinks, leaving consumers with fewer options in the $200‑$400 bracket.

For buyers who once viewed iPhones as too pricey, a gap in the Android lineup could alter price perceptions. If Android models stall(tt) at $500 or $600, entry‑level iPhones may appear more attractive, potentially lifting demand for the brand’s flagship.

The industry may see a consolidation of low‑price Android offerings, while Apple could benefit from a narrower competition range, even as its own price increases strain the broader ecosystem.