Price hikes in the smartphone market have been ongoing for a while now, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Several Realme smartphones have recently seen price revisions, with some models getting a second hike in just a few months. Most devices have become costlier by around Rs 1,000, while the Realme P3 Ultra stands out with a sharper increase of up to Rs 3,000.
What initially started as newer phones launching at higher prices is now spilling over to existing models as well. The shift suggests that brands are continuing to grapple with rising component costs, which are now directly impacting retail pricing across the lineup.
According to a post by GadgetsData on X, a total of nine Realme smartphones have received price hikes. Starting with the Realme P3 Ultra, the 8GB + 256GB variant is now costlier by Rs 3,000. It was earlier priced at Rs 27,999. Interestingly, this variant costs Rs 28,999 on the Realme website. The new pricing will probably reflect this later. The 12GB + 256GB variant has received a price hike of Rs 2,000, bringing its price up to Rs 31,999.
Another P-series phone, the Realme P4 Pro, has seen a price hike of Rs 4,000. It was launched at Rs 24,999, but now it has a starting price of Rs 28,999. This suggests a price hike of Rs 4,000, but this could have been done in parts. Similarly, the Realme 15 is also costlier by Rs 4,000, while the Realme 15T and Realme 15x have received price hikes of Rs 6,000 ever since their launch.
Among the newer models, the Realme 16 Pro has received yet another price hike. It had launched at Rs 31,999, then moved up to Rs 34,999, and now it’s available at Rs 36,999.
Even the budget Realme C-series has been affected by the price hike. These include the Realme C71, Realme C83, and Realme C85. The Realme C71 is now costlier by Rs 1,300, the Realme C83 by Rs 1,000, and the Realme C85 by Rs 4,500.
Here’s a table breaking down the price hike for all these Realme smartphones.
| Model name | Launch price | New price |
| Realme P3 Ultra | Rs 27,999 | Rs 28,999 |
| Realme P4 Pro | Rs 24,999 | Rs 28,999 |
| Realme 15 | Rs 25,999 | Rs 29,999 |
| Realme 15T | Rs 20,999 | Rs 26,999 |
| Realme 15x | Rs 16,999 | Rs 22,999 |
| Realme 16 Pro | Rs 31,999 | Rs 36,999 |
| Realme C71 | Rs 7,699 | Rs 8,999 |
| Realme C83 | Rs 13,499 | Rs 14,499 |
| Realme C85 | Rs 15,499 | Rs 19,999 |
Based on the table above, we can see that some of these Realme smartphones are now much costlier than before and have even entered a different price category altogether. Some of these could have been introductory prices, too, for the launch period. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear — there’s a big shift in the smartphone industry. We can no longer expect phones to launch at a certain price as they used to before. So, it would be wise to do some good research by comparing phones in the same segment to find out which one gives the best value. Also, try to grab discounts or offers whenever possible so you don’t end up paying too much for the phone.
As for the Realme smartphones, these are scattered among different price segments, from mid-range to budget. The newer models, like the Realme 16 Pro, may make more sense to purchase if longevity is a concern here. It would still be wise to check rivals and how they compare for a better buying decision. Given the C-series hikes, budget buyers might be better off looking at competitors or waiting for festive sales. For those considering the P3 Ultra, its new price point makes it less competitive, so waiting for a discount or considering alternatives is advisable.
