“Realme phones’ prices have been hiked not just because of the new GST rates but also due to the increase in component prices due to coronavirus and the fluctuating value of the Indian rupee”

Realme phones’ prices in India have been hiked starting today as a consequence of the government raising GST on smartphones. To recall, the government last month raised GST on smartphones from 12 percent to 18 percent effect April 1st. With the Realme phone price hike announcement, the new smartphone brands has joined vendors such as Xiaomi, Samsung, OPPO, and Vivo in increasing prices of their products. This comes amid the ongoing coronavirus-induced lockdown that has put the whole country on hold as well as the depreciating value of the Indian rupee vs the US dollar.

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The former OPPO sub-brand, Realme has released a statement on the price hike, saying it has been forced to increase prices of its smartphones for the first time since 2018. The company attributes the price hike to the increase in GST, the rising costs of components due to the coronavirus, and the fluctuating value of the rupee. The hiked Realme phone prices are now reflecting on the company’s website. Here’s a complete list of smartphones from Realme whose price has been hiked.

ModelOld priceNew price
Realme 6 ProRs 16,999Rs 17,999
Realme 6Rs 12,999Rs 13,999
Realme X2 Pro Master EditionRs 34,999Rs 36,999
Realme C3Rs 6,999Rs 7,499
Realme 5iRs 8,999Rs 9,999
Realme X2Rs 16,999Rs 17,999
Realme X2 ProRs 27,999Rs 29,999
Realme 5sRs 9,999Rs 10,999
Realme 5 ProRs 12,999Rs 13,999
Realme XTRs 15,999Rs 16,999
Realme XRs 16,999Rs 17,999
Realme X Master EditionRs 19,999Rs 20,999

From what we can see, most of the Realme devices have gotten a Rs 1,000 bump from the prices at which they were originally launched. For the Realme 5 Pro, which had a price cut in January, the price tag now is the same as its launch price. For higher-end devices such as the Realme X2 Pro and X2 Pro Master Edition, the price hike is Rs 2,000 more. The Realme Narzo phones could also see a price hike than the intended price, whenever they launch.