TL;DRUS smartphone prices rose just 5%, far less than the 15% global increase.New phones are getting pricier as memory costs squeeze manufacturers worldwide.Shoppers elsewhere face steeper hikes, making the US look surprisingly insulated.If you’ve been grumbling about the price of this year’s flagship phones, you’re not exactly wrong. Samsung, Google, and Motorola have all asked US shoppers to pay more for their latest flagships, with most of the increases landing around the $100 mark. But here’s the thing: It could be a whole lot worse.Counterpoint Research’s latest smartphone price tracker shows that global smartphone retail prices have climbed an average of 15% so far in 2026. More than 40% of smartphone models have seen price hikes this year, while new launches are coming in 25% more expensive than their year-ago counterparts.