Flagship Smartphones to Become More Affordable Than Mid-Range by 2026

According to Counterpoint Research, premium smartphones with wholesale prices starting at $600 accounted for a record 29% of the global market in the first half of 2026. This represents a 4 percentage point increase year-over-year, with sales in the segment rising by 5%. The primary driver of this trend is the surge in memory and component prices, which disproportionately affected mid-range devices.

Flagship manufacturers like Apple and Samsung mitigated inflationary pressures through higher margins. Meanwhile, mid-range prices have climbed to $500–$600, making the premium upgrade more justified. Analysts highlight that at this price differential, flagships deliver superior build quality, extended software support, and advanced processors.

To ease the purchase of high-end devices, brands are aggressively promoting trade-in programs, installment plans, and device buyback incentives. Samsung, for instance, expanded its Galaxy Forever initiative, allowing users to spread costs over several years. Competitors are adopting similar strategies to retain customers in the premium segment.

Apple and Samsung remain market leaders with a combined 84% share, but rivals are accelerating growth. OPPO’s sales surged by 69% thanks to the Find X9, while vivo saw a 20% increase with the X300. This underscores the rising demand for durable, high-performance devices, even at a premium price point.