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Consumer tech · 49 figures

Smartphone Price Statistics 2026

IDC expects the average smartphone to sell for $581 worldwide in 2026, up 27.6% in one year, as memory costs surge and shipments fall a record 16.7%. Counterpoint Research measured a record global average selling price of $442 in the third quarter of 2026, up 27%. In the US, the Pixel 11 starts at $899 and the Galaxy S26 at $899.99, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and Apple's foldable iPhone Duo at $1,999.

Download CSVCite this pageUpdated November 4, 2026 · 24 sources · 53/53 quotes re-checked

This page covers what smartphones cost in 2026: global average selling prices and market value, the memory shortage behind this year's price increases, US launch prices of current flagships from the makers' own announcements, foldable phone pricing, and how buyers pay through financing, trade-ins and refurbished devices. Global market figures come from IDC, Counterpoint Research and TrendForce; US prices from Apple, Samsung and Google; trade-in data from Assurant; consumer surveys from CTA and Pew Research Center; and global ownership from the ITU and GSMA.

2026 is the year smartphone prices jumped. IDC forecasts the global average selling price will reach $581, up 27.6% in one year, while shipments fall 16.7% to just over 1 billion units. Total market value still rises 6.3% to $613 billion, so buyers are paying more for fewer phones. Quarterly data agree: IDC counted a 22.0% drop in third quarter shipments, and Counterpoint Research found global revenue up 3% to $114 billion in the same quarter as the average selling price rose 27% to a record $442.

The cause is memory. IDC says memory costs have risen about 350% since 2025, and cheap phones are being withdrawn rather than repriced: shipments of phones under $100 fell almost 60% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, and Android shipments are forecast to fall 24.3% this year. Trade policy is a second risk; a CTA study estimates that making smartphones entirely in the US would raise production costs by 152%.

US flagship prices show the same shift. Google's Pixel 11 starts at $899 and Samsung's Galaxy S26 at $899.99, while Apple's cheapest current model, the iPhone 17e, starts at $599. At the top, the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at $1,899 and the iPhone Duo at $1,999. Buyers are still trading up: Samsung says the S26 Ultra accounted for 80% of its pre-orders, and Counterpoint puts Apple's share of global smartphone revenue at a record 50%.

Higher prices are changing how people buy. Verizon reported 22% fewer upgrades in the third quarter of 2026, citing customers keeping devices longer, and Assurant found US trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion to consumers in the second quarter. Trade-in credits of up to $885 from Apple and up to $720 from Samsung, and certified refurbished phones such as Samsung's $759 Galaxy S26, are the main ways to cut the price.

01

Global smartphone prices and market value

IDC's 2026 forecast shows prices and volumes moving in opposite directions: the average selling price rises by more than a quarter while unit shipments fall by about a sixth, so the market grows in dollars while shrinking in phones. Counterpoint's third quarter figures confirm the pattern with actual results rather than forecasts. Part of the higher average comes from mix, because the cheapest phones are disappearing fastest. IDC's average is a forecast published in August 2026, and Counterpoint's is based on wholesale prices, so the two numbers are not directly comparable.

02

Memory costs and the end of cheap phones

The memory shortage that began in late 2025 is the biggest driver of 2026 phone prices. Memory is a much larger share of the cost of a cheap phone than of a flagship, so low-end Android phones are hit hardest and many are being withdrawn rather than repriced. IDC expects pressure to last into 2027 and recovery no earlier than 2028. The CTA estimate is a modeled scenario for full US production, not a forecast of what will happen to prices.

03

US launch prices of current flagship phones

These are the starting prices each maker announced for the US, for the base storage option, before carrier deals or trade-ins. The entry price for a mainstream flagship has moved up to about $900 for Google and Samsung, while Apple keeps cheaper iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 models in the lineup. Pro and Ultra models start around $1,200 to $1,300, and foldables close to $2,000. Starting prices hide the cost of extra storage, which often adds $100 to $200 or more.

Samsung Galaxy S26 series US starting prices ($)

US starting prices at launch in March 2026, 256GB models.

$900
$1,100
$1,300
Galaxy S26Galaxy S26+Galaxy S26 Ultra

Source: Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series Now Available Worldwide

  • $599

    The iPhone 17e launched in the US in March 2026 at a starting price of $599.

    Apple · Apple introduces iPhone 17e (Mar 2026)

    Exact quote

    Pricing and Availability iPhone 17e will be available in black, white, and soft pink in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.

  • $799

    The iPhone 17 launched in the US in September 2025 at a starting price of $799.

    Apple · Apple debuts iPhone 17 (Sep 2025)

    Exact quote

    iPhone 17 starts at $799 (U.S.) or $33.29 (U.S.) per month.

  • $1,199

    The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the US and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299.

    Apple · Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max (Sep 2026)

    Exact quote

    Available in burgundy, glacier, silver, and black, iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 (U.S.) or $49.95 (U.S.) per month, and iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 (U.S.) or $54.12 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.

  • $1,999

    Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, starts at $1,999 in the US.

    Apple · Apple unveils iPhone Duo (Sep 2026)

    Exact quote

    Pricing and Availability iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky, and starts at $1,999 (U.S.), or $83.29 (U.S.) per month for 24 months, in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities.

  • $1,299.99

    The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 in the US.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series Now Available Worldwide (Mar 2026)

    Exact quote

    Galaxy S26 Ultra includes 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options 18 with pricing starting at $1,299.99.

  • $899.99

    The Galaxy S26 starts at $899.99 and the Galaxy S26+ at $1,099.99 in the US.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series Now Available Worldwide (Mar 2026)

    Exact quote

    Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 feature 256GB and 512GB storage options with Galaxy S26+ starting at $1,099.99 and Galaxy S26 starting at $899.99.

  • $699.99

    The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE starts at $699.99 in the US.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: Delivering the Latest Flagship Features That Matter Most (2026)

    Exact quote

    Pricing starts at $699.99.

  • $899

    Google's Pixel 11 starts at $899 in the US, the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099, the Pro XL at $1,299 and the Pro Fold at $1,899.

    Google · Buy the Pixel 11 phones and Pixel Watch 5 (Aug 2026)

    Exact quote

    Our Pixel 11 series includes four new phones: Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold , starting at $899, $1,099, $1,299, and $1,899.

  • 80%

    The Galaxy S26 Ultra made up 80% of US pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series, and pre-order volume was up nearly 25% on the previous generation.

    Samsung · Galaxy S26 Series Pre-orders Showing Strong Early Momentum (Mar 2026)

    Exact quote

    Pre-order volume is up nearly 25%, compared to the previous generation, with Galaxy S26 Ultra making up 80% of all pre-orders.

04

Foldable phone prices

Foldables are the one growing part of the market in 2026, and they are the most expensive phones on sale. IDC and TrendForce disagree on growth, at 12.6% and 0.5% respectively, because they define and count the category differently, but both expect Apple's iPhone Duo to take a large share quickly. IDC's estimate of an average selling price above $2,550 for Apple's foldables shows how far this segment sits from the rest of the market, and CTA's holiday survey suggests strong interest among US gift buyers.

Global foldable smartphone shipments, IDC forecast (millions)

IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker forecast, published August 2026; 2027 is approximate.

22.9
27
20262027

Source: IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force

05

Financing, trade-ins and upgrade cycles

Most US buyers pay for flagships in monthly installments, which makes $1,000+ prices feel smaller and ties buyers to a carrier or lease for two to three years. Trade-in credits are the largest discount available and vary widely by the age and condition of the old phone; Assurant's data show trade-ins returning more than $1.4 billion a quarter to US consumers. Carrier data show the response to higher prices: fewer upgrades and phones kept longer. T-Mobile's installment receivables carry an effective interest rate near 11%, a reminder that financing is not always free.

  • $34.99

    Apple Upgrade, a leasing program run by Klarna, offers the iPhone 18 Pro in the US from $34.99 a month over 24 months.

    Apple · Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max (Sep 2026)

    Exact quote

    Apple Upgrade, a leasing program provided by Klarna and available in the U.S., gives eligible customers monthly payment options for iPhone 18 Pro, with 12- and 24-month leasing terms starting as low as $34.99 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.

  • $885

    Apple Trade In gives US customers $175 to $885 in credit for an iPhone 13 or later toward the iPhone 18 Pro.

    Apple · Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max (Sep 2026)

    Exact quote

    With Apple Trade In, customers trading in iPhone 13 or later can get $175 to $885 (U.S.) in credit instantly.

  • $1,200

    US carrier offers give up to $1,200 in credit toward an iPhone 18 Pro when trading in an iPhone 14 or later in any condition.

    Apple · Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max (Sep 2026)

    Exact quote

    Apple also partners with select carriers to offer incredible deals, and customers can get up to $1,200 (U.S.) in credits when they trade in iPhone 14 or later — in any condition — to put toward iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

  • 22%

    Verizon's wireless equipment revenue fell in the third quarter of 2026 as device upgrades dropped 22%, which it attributes partly to customers keeping devices longer.

    Verizon · Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026 (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    Wireless equipment revenue decreased during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 compared to the similar periods in 2025 primarily due to a decrease of $441 million and $1.4 billion, respectively, driven by a lower volume of wireless devices sold primarily related to a decrease in upgrades of 22% and 18%, respectively, reflecting both our strategic decisions and customers retaining their devices for longer periods.

  • $286 million

    Verizon reported a $286 million increase in wireless equipment revenue in the first nine months of 2026 from a shift to higher priced devices, which partly offset lower upgrade volumes.

    Verizon · Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026 (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    The decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was primarily as a result of: • a decrease of $1.7 billion driven by a lower volume of wireless devices sold primarily related to a decrease in upgrades of 15%, reflecting both our strategic decisions and customers retaining their devices for longer periods; and • an increase of $286 million driven by a shift to higher priced equipment in the mix of wireless devices sold.

  • 10.9%

    T-Mobile's equipment installment plan receivables carried a weighted-average effective interest rate of 10.9% at the end of September 2026.

    T-Mobile US · Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026 (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    EIP receivables had a combined weighted-average effective interest rate of 10.9 % and 10.3 % as of September 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.

  • 36 months

    T-Mobile lets qualified customers finance a phone over an installment period of generally 24 or 36 months.

    T-Mobile US · Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026 (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    At the time of device purchase, qualified customers can finance all or a portion of the individual device or accessory purchase price and associated taxes and fees over an installment period, generally of 24 or 36 months, using an EIP.

  • $720

    Samsung offered up to $720 in instant trade-in credit on the Galaxy S26 series at US launch.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series Now Available Worldwide (Mar 2026)

    Exact quote

    Enjoy up to $720 in savings with eligible instant trade-in credit 19 or receive $150 without trade-in 20 to apply toward other eligible devices on Samsung.com .

  • $1.43 billion

    US mobile trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion to consumers in the second quarter of 2026, according to Assurant.

    Assurant · Assurant Reports Mobile Trade-In Programs Return $1.43 Billion to Consumers in Q2 2026 as Smartphones Reach Four-Year Upgrade Milestone (Aug 2026)

    Exact quote

    ATLANTA – August 27, 2026 – Mobile trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion to U.S. consumers in the second quarter of 2026, helping offset the cost of upgrading as Americans hold onto smartphones longer than ever, according to new data released today by Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ).

  • $1.63 billion

    US consumers received $1.63 billion through mobile trade-in programs in the first quarter of 2026, up 31% from a year earlier, Assurant reports.

    Assurant · Assurant Q1 2026 Mobile Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report release (Jun 2026)

    Exact quote

    Insights from the report show that consumers received $1.63 billion in value through mobile trade-in programs in the first quarter of 2026, up 31% from the same period in 2025.

  • 3.81 years

    The average age of devices traded in through US programs was 3.81 years in the first quarter of 2026, against 3.83 years for 2025, according to Assurant.

    Assurant · Assurant Q1 2026 Mobile Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report release (Jun 2026)

    Exact quote

    Device Age: The average age of traded-in devices held steady at 3.81 years, compared with 3.83 years for full-year 2025.

06

Refurbished phones and who can afford a smartphone

Certified refurbished phones from the manufacturers themselves are the cheapest way to buy a current flagship with a warranty. Ownership data show why price matters: almost every American adult has a smartphone, but ownership is lower in low-income households, and one in six adults relies on a smartphone as their only home internet connection. Globally, only about half of people in low-income economies own a mobile phone, and GSMA Intelligence cites affordability as a barrier to getting online, so the disappearance of sub-$100 phones in 2026 makes that gap harder to close.

US adults who own a smartphone, by household income, 2026 (%)

Pew Research Center survey of US adults conducted January 30 to June 18, 2026.

  • Less than $30,00080%
  • $30,000 to $69,99991%
  • $70,000 to $99,99996%
  • $100,000 or more98%

Source: Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet

  • $759

    A certified refurbished Galaxy S26 from Samsung starts at $759 in the US, against $899.99 new.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Added to Certified Re-Newed Lineup (2026)

    Exact quote

    Galaxy S26 Certified Re-Newed is available in White, Sky Blue, Pink Gold, Black, Silver Shadow, and Cobalt Violet, starting at $759.00.

  • $1,099

    A certified refurbished Galaxy S26 Ultra from Samsung starts at $1,099 in the US.

    Samsung · Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Added to Certified Re-Newed Lineup (2026)

    Exact quote

    Galaxy S26 Ultra Certified Re-Newed is available in White, Sky Blue, Pink Gold, Black, Silver Shadow, and Cobalt Violet, starting at $1,099.00.

  • 45%

    Google sells certified refurbished Pixel 9 series phones on its US store at up to 45% off.

    Google · International Repair Day 2026 (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    To make sustainable upgrades even more accessible, we’re expanding the program on two fronts: we added the Pixel 9 series to our U.S. lineup at up to 45% off on the Google Store Online U.S ., and we launched certified refurbished devices on the Google Store Online Japan this October.

  • 91%

    91% of US adults own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011, according to Pew Research Center's survey conducted January to June 2026.

    Pew Research Center · Mobile Fact Sheet (2026)

    Exact quote

    About nine-in-ten (91%) own a smartphone, up from just 35% in the Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011.

  • 16%

    16% of US adults were smartphone-only internet users in 2026, owning a smartphone but not subscribing to home broadband, according to Pew Research Center.

    Pew Research Center · Mobile Fact Sheet (2026)

    Exact quote

    Smartphone dependency over time Today, 16% of U.S. adults are “smartphone-only” internet users, meaning they own a smartphone but do not subscribe to a home broadband service.

  • 53%

    Only 53% of people aged 10 and over in low-income economies owned a mobile phone in 2025, against over 95% in high-income economies, according to the ITU.

    International Telecommunication Union · Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)

    Exact quote

    Universal ownership, meaning a penetration rate of over 95 per cent, has been reached in high-income economies, while upper-middle-income economies have already surpassed the 90 per cent mark. This stands in contrast with low-income economies, where only 53 per cent of the population aged 10 years and over own a mobile phone.

  • 10%

    Women worldwide were 10% less likely than men to own a mobile phone in 2025, down from 12% in 2022, according to the ITU.

    International Telecommunication Union · Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)

    Exact quote

    Globally, women are 10 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than men, which is down from 12 per cent in 2022.

  • 1.1 billion

    In developing Asia Pacific, about 1.1 billion people who can access mobile broadband still do not use it, even after mobile internet adoption rose from 62% to 71% between 2020 and 2025, according to GSMA Intelligence; affordability is one of the barriers it cites.

    GSMA · 1.2 billion people across Developing Asia Pacific remain offline despite near universal mobile coverage (Oct 2026)

    Exact quote

    Despite improvements in mobile internet adoption from 62% to 71% between 2020 and 2025, around 1.1 billion people who can access broadband still remain offline.

FAQ

What is the average price of a smartphone in 2026?

IDC forecasts a global average selling price of $581 in 2026, up 27.6% from 2025. Counterpoint Research measured a record wholesale-based average of $442 in the third quarter of 2026, up 27% from a year earlier.

Why are phones getting more expensive?

Mostly memory. IDC says memory costs have risen about 350% since 2025 and expects any recovery to wait until 2028 at the least. Cheap phones are being withdrawn, which also pushes the average price up: shipments of phones under $100 fell almost 60% in the second quarter of 2026.

How much does a new flagship phone cost in the US?

Starting prices are $899 for the Google Pixel 11, $899.99 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 and $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple's cheapest current iPhone, the iPhone 17e, starts at $599, and the foldable iPhone Duo starts at $1,999.

How much can a trade-in save?

Apple offers $175 to $885 in credit for an iPhone 13 or later toward the iPhone 18 Pro, and Samsung offered up to $720 on the Galaxy S26 series. Across the US, Assurant reports that trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion to consumers in the second quarter of 2026.

Is it cheaper to buy a refurbished phone?

Usually. Samsung's certified refurbished Galaxy S26 starts at $759 against $899.99 new, and Google sells refurbished Pixel 9 phones at up to 45% off in the US. Manufacturer-refurbished phones come with a warranty.

Are people keeping their phones longer?

Carrier and trade-in data suggest so. Verizon reported 22% fewer device upgrades in the third quarter of 2026, and Assurant found the average age of iPhones turned in through trade-in programs passed four years for the first time in the second quarter.

Methodology note

Global market figures come from IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (an August 2026 forecast and an October 2026 quarterly release), Counterpoint Research's Market Monitor for the third quarter of 2026, and TrendForce; forecasts change from quarter to quarter, Counterpoint's average selling price is based on wholesale prices, and the firms count foldables differently. US prices are starting prices announced by Apple, Samsung and Google in their own newsrooms and blogs, for base storage and before taxes, carrier promotions or trade-ins. Financing and upgrade figures come from Verizon and T-Mobile filings with the SEC, and trade-in totals from Assurant, which runs trade-in programs for carriers and retailers. Consumer survey figures come from CTA and Pew Research Center, and global ownership from the ITU's Facts and Figures 2025 and a GSMA Intelligence report. We did not find an official US smartphone price index that our checker could fetch, so this page does not include CPI figures. Every quote is re-fetched from the source by our checker. See how we rank and verify.

Sources

  1. 1Apple: Apple introduces iPhone 17e
  2. 2Apple: Apple debuts iPhone 17
  3. 3Apple: Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
  4. 4Apple: Apple unveils iPhone Duo
  5. 5Assurant: Assurant Reports Mobile Trade-In Programs Return $1.43 Billion to Consumers in Q2 2026 as Smartphones Reach Four-Year Upgrade Milestone
  6. 6Assurant: Assurant Q1 2026 Mobile Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report release
  7. 7Consumer Technology Association: CTA Study: Full 'Reshoring' of Tech Product Manufacturing Would Come at a Cost
  8. 8Consumer Technology Association: Despite Rising Cost of Living, 87% of Americans Plan to Shop for Tech Gifts this Holiday Season
  9. 9Counterpoint Research: Global Smartphone Revenue Defies Shipment Slump, Rising 3% YoY; Apple Records Highest-Ever Q3 Revenue
  10. 10Google: Buy the Pixel 11 phones and Pixel Watch 5
  11. 11Google: International Repair Day 2026
  12. 12GSMA: 1.2 billion people across Developing Asia Pacific remain offline despite near universal mobile coverage
  13. 13IDC: Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force
  14. 14IDC: Global smartphone shipments decline 22% in 3Q26 (IDC press release, October 14, 2026)
  15. 15International Telecommunication Union: Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership
  16. 16Pew Research Center: Mobile Fact Sheet
  17. 17Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series Now Available Worldwide
  18. 18Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: Delivering the Latest Flagship Features That Matter Most
  19. 19Samsung: Galaxy S26 Series Pre-orders Showing Strong Early Momentum
  20. 20Samsung: Samsung Launches Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8, Watch Ultra2 and Watch9
  21. 21Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Added to Certified Re-Newed Lineup
  22. 22T-Mobile US: Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026
  23. 23TrendForce: iPhone Duo Launch Sparks Strong Demand, but Fold-Area Structural Reliability and Hardware–Software Integration Remain Challenges
  24. 24Verizon: Form 10-Q, quarter ended September 30, 2026

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Rankozo. (2026, November 4). Smartphone Price Statistics 2026. https://rankozo.com/smartphone-price-statistics

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