Web Desk 
May 17, 2024
Xiaomi fans hoping for a steal on the upcoming Xiaomi 15 series might be out of luck as a tip from industry insider suggested that the next generation of Xiaomi flagships is poised for a significant price hike.
This news reflects a broader trend in the smartphone industry, where flagship phone prices are skyrocketing due to rising manufacturing expenses.
The primary culprit seems to be the ever-increasing cost of silicon manufacturing. This has already impacted phone prices, with the recently released Samsung Galaxy S24 series serving as a stark example. Unfortunately, it appears Xiaomi won't be spared from this trend.
The cost of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a key component in many high-end phones, significantly impacted the pricing of the previous Xiaomi 14 series. In Europe, for instance, the base model Xiaomi 14 started at a hefty €999.
Read more: Xiaomi 15 series might offer curved 2K display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
Digital Chat Station (DCS) suggested that Xiaomi struggled to maintain budget-friendly pricing for the 14 series, and things are expected to worsen with the 15 series.
This price hike could put Xiaomi in a precarious position. Competitive pricing has been a cornerstone of Xiaomi's success, allowing them to undercut rivals like Samsung and Apple. With that advantage potentially fading, Xiaomi may lose its edge in the market.
DCS attributed the rising costs to a confluence of factors. The price of essential components like memory and materials is on the rise, putting pressure on manufacturers like Xiaomi to maintain affordability.
Adding to the cost equation is the expected inclusion of the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor in the Xiaomi 15 series. Qualcomm has a history of increasing chip prices with each new generation, and the Gen 4 is likely to follow suit. This further contributed to the anticipated price increase for the Xiaomi 15 series.
Consumers hoping for a budget-friendly flagship from Xiaomi might be disappointed. With rising costs across the board, the Xiaomi 15 series appears destined to be pricier than its predecessors.
