Tech journalist Anicet Mbida has warned that prices for mobile phones, computers and gaming consoles are rising, with older hardware models also becoming significantly more expensive.
Speaking on French morning television show Bonjour La Matinale TF1, Mbida stated that current market conditions make it a difficult time for consumers planning to purchase new electronic devices.
The price increases have impacted major gaming consoles, including devices released several years ago. Sony PlayStation 5 consoles, which debuted nearly six years ago in 2020 at 499 euros, now cost 150 euros more despite the subsequent market launch of the PlayStation Pro model.
Other console manufacturers have also raised prices across their hardware ranges. Nintendo Switch 2 prices have increased by 30 euros, while Microsoft Xbox consoles have seen price rises of between 100 euros and 200 euros.
Smartphones have experienced similar cost adjustments over recent months. Samsung Galaxy S26 flagship phones launched in February for 999 euros, but eight months later retail prices have risen by 120 euros. Apple iPhone 17 handsets, which were priced at 969 euros a year ago, are now sold for 150 euros more.
Mbida noted that this trend represents an unusual shift in consumer electronics, where aging products traditionally become cheaper over time instead of increasing in price.
Artificial intelligence demand drives memory price explosion
The primary explanation for the price hikes is the rising cost of computer memory components, which provide the storage gigabytes used for photographs, documents and system data. Mbida stated that memory prices have quadrupled over the past two years, with manufacturers passing higher component costs directly to consumers.
Demand for memory hardware has soared due to artificial intelligence technology, which requires massive computational storage to run server networks inside data centers. Mbida explained that artificial intelligence developers and specialized tech firms are purchasing all available memory stocks, creating widespread component shortages for phones, laptops and gaming consoles.
Refurbished devices grow costly ahead of Christmas
The price inflation has also reached second hand hardware markets. Mbida reported that refurbished phone prices rose by 4% during the first half of the year, marking the first time reconditioned devices have experienced such an increase.
With the Christmas shopping season approaching, Mbida advised consumers looking for a phone or gaming console to compare retailer inventories. He noted that some suppliers may still hold stock purchased at previous wholesale rates, making those individual items slightly cheaper.
