Oppo and OnePlus Raise Prices on Budget Phones from March 16

Chinese smartphone manufacturers Oppo and OnePlus will raise prices on select existing models starting March 16, a move prompted by escalating costs for key components amid surging demand for memory chips in artificial intelligence applications.

The price adjustments, announced in a notice on Oppo's official online store in China, target the companies' more affordable devices. Affected products include Oppo's A-series and K-series smartphones, which cater to budget-conscious consumers, as well as unspecified OnePlus models. Higher-end lines, such as Oppo's Find and Reno series, along with Oppo Pad tablets, are not expected to see changes at this time. The increases are currently limited to the Chinese market, though industry observers note that global pricing could follow if costs persist.

In the notice, Oppo stated, "In response to rising costs of several key mobile phone components, including high-speed storage hardware, we have made the following decision after careful evaluation" to adjust prices starting at midnight on March 16. The company emphasized the need to maintain product quality and user experience. Neither Oppo nor OnePlus has provided details on the extent of the...