Everything from iPhones to Netflix is set to get more expensive! The pinch of inflation could weigh heavier on your wallet..
The burden on your wallet is likely to increase due to the impact of inflation. Current geopolitical conditions in Iran, rising memory prices, and a weakening Indian Rupee (if you reside in India) have further exacerbated the situation, driving prices even higher. Smartphones, electronics, video games, and even Netflix subscriptions are becoming increasingly expensive. The economic pressure on the common man is expected to intensify, potentially leading to greater distress as living expenses continue to rise.
According to *The Indian Express*, are you considering purchasing an older iPhone model? If so, you may have to shell out more money; the company is likely to raise the prices of older iPhone models—such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 series—in markets like India. A recent report suggests that Apple may discontinue Demand Generation (DG) support for older iPhone models, a move that could result in price hikes of up to ₹5,000. Although there has been no change to the official retail price, Apple has ceased providing incentives to retailers; this implies that customers may no longer receive the substantial discounts they previously enjoyed when purchasing an iPhone.
This shift is likely driven by the global surge in memory prices—a trend that is impacting everyone, including Apple. The company has already begun raising the prices of recently released products, including the latest iPhone 17e, which is priced ₹5,000 higher than the iPhone 16e model released just a year prior.
The subscription rates for several major streaming services are set to rise in 2026. For instance, Netflix has increased subscription prices across all its plans, beginning with the US market. The price of the ad-supported plan has been raised from $7.99 (approximately ₹747) to $8.99 (approximately ₹840) per month. Similarly, the cost of the Standard plan has gone up from $17.99 (approximately ₹1,681) to $19.99 (approximately ₹1,868) per month. The prices for both the Premium plan and the "Extra Member" option have increased. This hike stems from Netflix's substantial investment in content such as live events and video podcasts.
The previous price increase took place in January 2025. Netflix currently boasts over 325 million subscribers worldwide. Since this price hike originated in the US, the company may gradually raise prices in other countries as well; should this occur—and if Netflix plans to raise prices in India—enjoying entertainment via OTT platforms could become a more expensive affair for you.
Samsung and Nothing Phones Are Getting More Expensive
Over the past few months, the prices of Android smartphones have risen significantly. Prices are not expected to stabilize until the issues surrounding memory component costs are resolved; furthermore, industry insiders suggest that production levels may not fully recover until 2027. Samsung has raised the prices of its Galaxy S26 series this year, while Nothing has also joined this trend by increasing the price of its newly launched Phone 4a series. Some experts believe that prices could climb even higher in the second half of the year, when new flagship devices hit the market.
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