# Chip squeeze, weak rupee push gadget prices up 8-15% 2026-08-12T19:55:59+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Prices of laptops and smartphones in India have risen 8, 15% over the past year, driven by semiconductor supply constraints, a weaker rupee, and surging demand for AI hardware. Flagship smartphones now cost Rs 5,000, Rs 15,000 more than last season, while mid-range laptops are Rs 7,000, Rs 12,000 costlier, Livemint reports. Entry-level devices have seen smaller increases, but affordability is shrinking across categories. Three factors are behind the price rise: chipmakers are prioritising AI chips over consumer electronics components, the rupee has weakened about 11% against the dollar in a year, and higher freight costs from the Iran-US-Israel conflict add to landed costs. The squeeze is likely to persist through at least 2027, according to International Data Corporation. Retailers expect festival-season electronics sales to fall 50% by volume and 30% by value this year, says research firm TechArc. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: AI hardware, chip shortage, festive season sales, refurbished devices, rupee weakness, smartphone prices Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/chip-squeeze-weak-rupee-push-gadget-prices-up-8-15/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/chip-squeeze-weak-rupee-push-gadget-prices-up-8-15/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.