The ongoing RAM crisis continues to take a toll on the budget and mid-range smartphone segments in India. Following a broader industry trend of rising component costs, the Redmi A7 4G and Redmi A7 Pro 4G are the latest smartphones to receive a noticeable price hike.
Redmi A7 4G and A7 Pro 4G Prices Increased
The prices of the Redmi A7 4G and Redmi A7 Pro 4G have been revised significantly, with both phones now costing Rs 2,000 more than their original launch prices. The Redmi A7 4G, which launched for Rs 10,499 and was previously adjusted to Rs 11,499, now costs Rs 12,499 for merely 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
The Redmi A7 Pro 4G debuted at Rs 11,499 and received a price hike to Rs 12,499. Its latest retail price now sits at Rs 13,499 for the 4 GB + 64 GB variant. That's a Rs 2,000 markup for an extremely entry-level smartphone, which explains the bad state of the current smartphone market.
This pricing update comes as no surprise, as even Redmi's sibling brand, POCO has increased the prices of its budget smartphones. As smartphone price hikes become the norm, reliable options under the Rs 12,000 mark are quickly drying up for budget-conscious buyers.
For those unaware, the Redmi A7 and A7 Pro feature 6.9-inch HD+ 120 Hz LCD panels, a Unisoc T7250 chipset and a 13 MP rear camera coupled with an 8 MP selfie shooter. The A7 gets a smaller 5,200mAh battery, whereas the Redmi A7 Pro gets a 6,300mAh battery.
While both phones have received price hikes, they might still be worth getting, especially with the Pro being promised 4 years of OS updates. For those looking for an affordable entry-level phone that can last for quite some time, they're not a bad option.
Buyers considering them might want to grab them fast before another price hike hits, which is very likely, considering that the ongoing RAM crisis is only expected to worsen this year. Buyers can also consider the Lava Bold N2 5G, which offers a better Unisoc T8200 processor but promises only one major Android update.
