The best smartphone hardware can be expensive and is increasingly based on recent annual trends. It’s been a few years since the phones broke the $ 1,000 price barrier and it seems that prices have continued their upward trajectory. But was this true in 2020?
To investigate the prices, we followed the average prices of smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, LG and Sony in the last year. We also recorded prices for affordable entry-level models, such as those with lower memory configurations and lower specifications, as well as for ultra-premium level products. The results are interesting.
See also: The best budget phones you can buy today
results
Let’s jump straight into the results. First, let’s take a look at the general brand trends we’ve been following.
Our data collection shows a noticeable increase in the typical price of the most expensive flagship models in 2020. However, there has been a barely visible increase in the prices of affordable models and, interestingly, the average flagship price from these brands. This is partly due to the fact that some manufacturers have switched from premium models to affordable prices throughout the year. Phones like LG Velvet and Google Pixel 5 certainly no longer fall into the category of premium models, but they have affected the average price for flagship phones in 2020.
So what is the big picture? Well, ultra-premium 5G phones from a number of brands have certainly been more expensive than last year. The best hardware on the market cost more than ever, with an average price increase of ~ 110 USD compared to last year. Likewise, some entry-level phones have seen similar price increases, especially when it comes to Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and OnePlus. It seems that 5G has increased the prices for high-performance phones.
You could certainly spend more on a landmark phone in 2020, but you didn’t have to.
However, Samsung and a few other brands have made entry into their ecosystems a little more accessible. In addition, a small number of companies have opted for slightly lower processing power and even lower prices, including the aforementioned LG and Google phones. This helped keep the average reference price lower than otherwise expected. If they didn’t let you be seduced by the 512 GB “Ultra” models, the flagship phones of 2020 didn’t really cost more than in 2019.
In the end, however, there is a fairly large variation in price differences when we turn our attention to certain brands. So let’s dive a little deeper into the data.
Which smartphone brand raised its prices the most in 2020?
Credit: David Imel / Android Authority
While average smartphone prices have increased marginally, there has been a much greater diversity of pricing strategies in 2020 compared to 2019. Broadly speaking, many manufacturers have raised their prices in 2020. However, it’s worth taking a minute to analyze the chart below. a few times, because there were a lot of variations and complexities in the pricing strategy of each OEM.
The Samsung Galaxy S line has now become a little more affordable, but only thanks to the addition of the $ 700 Galaxy S20 FE. This model is actually cheaper than the $ 750 Galaxy S10e. A 512 GB Galaxy S20 Plus costs $ 1,299, and the Ultra equivalent will give you back $ 1,499. It’s more than the $ 1,250 price of the Galaxy S10 Plus. However, Samsung offered a 1 TB S10 version last year, costing $ 1,600. It is a similar image for the Samsung Galaxy Note range. Galaxy Note 20 is $ 50 more expensive than the Note 10 series for all storage capacities.
Related: Galaxy S20 FE was the most important Samsung phone of 2020
Samsung was not the only brand to raise prices in 2020. OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro cost $ 40 and $ 140 more than their predecessors, respectively. OnePlus 8T also cost $ 150 more than 7T. The 7T Pro was not released in the US, but would have been about $ 80 more than the 8T. Admiral Xiaomi Mi, despite being targeted primarily by China, was more expensive than last year. The Sony Xperia 1 II also saw an even more significant price increase of $ 250 between 2019 and 2020 compared to its predecessor.
There is a wider range of pricing strategies in 2020, thanks to super-medium phones.
Perhaps unexpectedly, Apple did not increase its prices during the same period. The iPhone 12 costs exactly the same as the iPhone 11, despite the switch to 5G. On the other hand, Google’s highest level Pixel was actually cheaper than last year. The Pixel 5 is more affordable than the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, although it has more mid-range hardware. Also, the LG Velvet was also cheaper than the LG G8 and G8X, thanks to its more affordable processor.
Overall, the trend seems to be that state-of-the-art 5G smartphones have become largely a bit more expensive in the last 12 months. However, these price increases were offset by a growing market for affordable flagship vessels, which negotiated certain specifications to save hundreds of their retail price. While some brands remain attached to the old expensive iconic paradigm, others have begun to experiment well below the $ 1,000 mark – a positive sign for 2021 and beyond.
Are smartphones getting more expensive?
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
So have smartphone prices gone up in 2020? Yes and no. It’s kind of complicated.
Typical price tags continued on a slight upward trend, but the most expensive models were most often brought. The already expensive 512 GB models are becoming more expensive. The average 5G premium model now costs more than $ 1,000. However, virtually every brand also retains a more accessible point of entry. The prevalence of Pro, Ultra and other flagship variants highlights the wide range of market segments that manufacturers are trying to cover.
The average premium model now costs more than $ 1,000.
Brands seem extremely aware that many consumers are not willing to pay more than $ 1,000 for a state-of-the-art phone. Affordable models, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE and Apple’s iPhone 12, are most likely to be delivered in bulk compared to their more expensive siblings. At the same time, 2020 has also seen a more affordable “super mid-tier” market growth, exemplified by the Pixel 5. These $ 5-sub-700 phones with excellent features and robust designs offer everything you need for a top -experience without breaking the bank.
You could certainly spend more on a flagship ultra-premium phone in 2020 than in 2019 or 2018. However, the market is now just as new with affordable flagships that offer value. as good, if not even better, than the phones launched in previous years. .