Samsung, one of the world’s biggest CMOS sensor manufacturers, is increasing the prices of its CIS (Camera Image Sensors) components. Starting next year, the Korean tech giant is bumping up the prices of some components by 25% and others by up to 30%.
The price hike is due to a spike in orders for Samsung’s CIS components. The global smartphone market has been sluggish for the past two years, but it is now finally picking up steam. This has led to increased demand for Samsung’s CIS components, which the company is now passing on to its customers.
The report also says the price hike mainly affects high-resolution sensors, 32MP and above. It remains to be seen whether the change will significantly impact smartphone prices in general and Samsung’s very own handsets.
What does this mean for consumers?
It is too early to say definitively what the impact of Samsung’s CIS component price hike will be on consumers. However, it is possible that the price increase could lead to a slight increase in smartphone prices. This is especially true for smartphones that use high-resolution sensors.
Samsung is not the only smartphone manufacturer that is increasing prices for its components. Sony, another major CIS manufacturer, has also been raising prices. This is likely to put further upward pressure on smartphone prices.
What can consumers do?
Consumers who are concerned about the price of smartphones may want to consider buying a refurbished or used phone. Refurbished phones are phones that have been returned to the manufacturer and have been repaired and tested. They are typically sold at a discount of 20-50% off the original price. Used phones are phones that have been previously owned by someone else. They can be found for even cheaper prices than refurbished phones.
Consumers can also save money on smartphones by buying a phone from a budget carrier. Budget carriers typically offer lower prices on phones in exchange for fewer features or a shorter contract.
The increase in CIS component prices is a sign that the smartphone market is finally recovering. However, it is also likely to lead to an increase in smartphone prices. Consumers who are concerned about the price of smartphones may want to consider buying a refurbished or used phone or switching to a budget carrier.
