Samsung and Google are raising prices on their budget phones
A Galaxy A17 5G costs $70 more than it did at launch and a Pixel 10a costs $100 more.
RAM Shortage Impact
Both Samsung and Google are increasing the starting price of their budget phones, likely due to the RAM crisis affecting the technology sector. The Pixel 10a has increased by $100, while Samsung has raised prices across its Galaxy A lineup.
The Galaxy A17 5G increased from $200 to $270, the Galaxy A27 5G rose from $350 to $380, the Galaxy A37 5G went from $450 to $490, and the Galaxy A57 5G climbed from $550 to $600. Overall, Samsung's A series devices cost between $30 and $70 more than previous versions.
Pixel 10a Cost Changes
Google initially offered the Pixel 10a for $499, but the $100 price adjustment brings it to $599. In Canada, the device increased from $679 to $849.
Future Outlook
Industry analysts suggest these elevated pricing levels could persist for upcoming generations. While RAM supply may stabilize if Chinese manufacturing scales up over the next year, pessimistic projections indicate high memory costs could remain a factor through 2030, making the used market increasingly attractive for budget-conscious buyers.
