While price increases due to soaring semiconductor costs have been prominent for new products like PCs and smartphones, as October began, price hikes are now being observed even for existing models.
Pixel 10a price hike at the Google Store
First up is the Pixel 10a. When it was announced domestically in April, its price at the Google Store was ¥79,900 (128GB model), but it has now risen to ¥92,800.
Furthermore, Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26, which was ¥136,400 at the time of its announcement on Samsung's official online store, has seen a price increase of just under ¥20,000, now costing ¥155,800. The Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra have also seen similar price hikes.
The Galaxy S26, featuring a top-tier SoC in a relatively compact body. Even at ¥130,000, it felt like a good value, but it has seen a price increase of approximately ¥20,000 on the official online store.
Considering that the Galaxy S26 was sold for around ¥110,000 during Amazon Prime Day in July, this price increase is particularly painful. The common wisdom that digital devices get cheaper over time... in today's era of inflation, it might be time to forget such notions.
On the other hand, if you switch to Docomo (including ahamo) via MNP and utilize the sales program "Itsudemo Kaedoki Program," the burden for both the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10a can be as low as ¥33, assuming the device is returned after two years (a separate program usage fee of ¥22,000 is required). To get the latest smartphones at a good value, it's advisable to make good use of such sales programs or sale periods.
To use high-end smartphones affordably, it's important to be sensitive to information, such as utilizing carrier sales programs.
