Apple led the way with the iPhone X unveiled at the end of 2017 for 1,150 euros and the other smartphone manufacturers have gratefully accepted the template: Mobile phones have become more and more expensive in recent years and now cost an average of 24 percent more than three years ago. This is shown by an analysis of the price comparison portal Geizhals.at.
Where a new smartphone cost an average of 492.74 euros in 2019, that is already 612.32 euros this year. This corresponds to a price increase of 24.26 percent. The increase gradually went from 525.67 euros in 2020 to 583.75 euros in 2021. The price driver is mainly Apple, whose iPhones currently cost 915.08 euros on average, as opposed to 375.44 euros for Android smartphones.
Markus Nigl, CEO of the price search engine: “We are currently seeing a shift in the ideal time to buy smartphones. Until now, it was believed that buying around seasonal events – such as Christmas or Easter – is worthwhile, but the ever-decreasing price reductions are increasingly based on the product cycle – on the time elapsed after the start of sales.”
Prices are falling more and more
Smartphone prices are falling more slowly than in previous years. In particular, iPhones are considered to be price stable, while savings on Android devices from Samsung or Xiaomi are possible after a few months earlier. After nine months, in the current market environment – chip shortages and factory lockouts are hitting supply – the peak has been reached.
Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi dominate the market
The domestic smartphone market is dominated by only three manufacturers: Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi. They account for a large share of smartphone search volume – 34.08 percent on Samsung, 23.66 percent on Apple and 9.07 on Xiaomi. Previously popular Huawei devices – the Chinese have been fighting massive US sanctions for a while – are no longer particularly in demand given their software that is not very suitable for everyday use.
When it comes to operating systems, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS clearly dominate the market: 80 percent of manufacturers listed on Geizhals.at offer devices with one of these two operating systems.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
