Oppo smartphone prices rising from 16 March as 2026 chip shortage crisis deepens
Jakarta — Smartphone prices are expected to rise further as the global memory chip shortage crisis intensifies. Several Chinese technology brands are beginning to increase prices on their products.
Smartphone manufacturers Oppo and OnePlus have confirmed they will raise prices on selected smartphones that were previously released, beginning 16 March 2026.
The policy was implemented following a spike in costs for several key smartphone components, particularly RAM memory and high-speed storage devices that are currently experiencing shortages in the global market.
In an official announcement through its online store, Oppo stated the price increase was made after evaluating the spike in production costs.
“In response to rising costs for several key smartphone components, including high-speed storage hardware, after careful evaluation we have decided the following: beginning at 00:00 on 16 March 2026, Oppo will adjust prices for some previously released products to ensure superior product quality and optimal user experience,” the company stated in its announcement.
Products affected by the price adjustment include Oppo’s A-series, K-series smartphones, as well as devices from the OnePlus brand. However, Oppo confirmed that flagship models such as the Find series, Reno series, and Oppo Pad tablets will not experience price increases for the time being.
To date there is no confirmation whether the price increases will also apply to markets outside China, including the United States. However, this situation signals that production cost pressures are beginning to directly impact smartphone prices in the market.
CNBC Indonesia has attempted to confirm with Oppo Indonesia regarding domestic price increases, but as of publication no response had been received from the company.
The price increase comes amid bleak projections for the global smartphone industry. The latest report estimates the smartphone market could contract by as much as 13 per cent this year, a decline even deeper than the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chinese Phones Face Greatest Impact from Chip Crisis
Separately, Vanessa Aurelia, Associate Market Analyst for Devices Research at IDC Indonesia, stated that price increases have been visible since the beginning of this year. The ongoing global chip crisis is driving up prices for electronic devices across various countries, with ripple effects reaching Indonesia.
The budget smartphone segment is said to be most affected by this trend, as vendor margins remain relatively thin in this segment and are difficult to absorb cost increases.
“For this reason, price increases will be more noticeable in this [budget] segment,” she explained.
Adjustments may be possible in the mid-range and flagship segments. However, some costs could still be passed on to retail prices, with the option of specification adjustments to keep prices more manageable.
Consumers are also expected to immediately feel the impact of price increases when adjustments are made. Therefore, buyers should prepare additional budget to acquire their desired devices.
Vanessa stated that this condition is likely to begin easing in the second half of the coming year. However, prices are expected to remain elevated until early 2027.
Asus and Vivo Announce Price Adjustments
Meanwhile, several other vendors have also announced plans to raise device prices. One of them is vivo Indonesia, which stated that price adjustments are made with consideration of several factors.
“That’s right, some vivo products will have price adjustments which are the result of comprehensive consideration of various factors, including component cost management,” said vivo Indonesia PR Manager Alexa Tiara to CNBC Indonesia.
The policy is not applied comprehensively and is implemented differently for each segment. Alexa stated that each series has different specifications, cost structures and market segmentation.
Asus is also implementing similar measures in Indonesia beginning Q1 2026. The reason is the dynamics of the global component supply chain, and is part of efforts to maintain supply sustainability and product quality.
“In relation to global component supply chain dynamics, Asus will make price adjustments to laptop products marketed in Indonesia,” said Brama Setyadi, Head of PR and Digital Marketing at ASUS Indonesia, to CNBC Indonesia.
According to him, price adjustments are applied across all ASUS laptop segment categories. So the impact will be felt comprehensively.