[Agency: Storage price increases will push up the cost of mobile phones. The average price of smartphones on sale globally will rise by about 15% in 2026] "Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily" reported on the 4th that according to counterpoint news, since 2026, driven by the increase in global storage prices, more than 40% of smartphone models have experienced price increases. This is the first time in the industry. The price of the newly released models is 25% higher than that of the models released in the same period last year. Since 2026, global smartphone retail prices have increased by an average of 15%, and the prices of some models have nearly doubled. As the cost of storage and other components rises, smartphone manufacturers are continuing to pass on higher costs to consumers. Price-sensitive markets were most obviously affected, with the Indian market experiencing the highest growth at 21%, the Asia-Pacific region at 19%, and the Middle East and Africa at 18%. Markets with a high proportion of high-end models and operator-dominated markets saw relatively modest growth, with prices rising by 10% in China, 7% in Europe, and 5% in the United States. The increases were mainly concentrated in newly launched models.