The 2026 smartphone price hike, AI tax | Redmi Note 15 & Redmi Pad 2 Pro full review | Tech Today

If you’re planning to buy a new gadget in 2026, I have some bad news: devices are getting more expensive, and big tech AI companies are the ones to blame. On this episode of Tech Today, We explain the "Mother of All Ironies" - how the massive demand for AI is creating a global memory shortage that is driving up the cost of the phone in your pocket. We break down the "Silicon Tax" and why the chips meant for your smartphone are now being prioritized for massive data centers. Plus, with prices rising, we look at some budget-friendly saviors on the shelves: the Redmi Note 15 and Redmi Pad 2.

The Big Story: The 2026 Smartphone Price Hike

The Price Jump: Why the ₹10,000 phone range has quietly climbed to ₹15,000 and is now knocking on ₹20,000.

The "AI Tax": How Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia are buying up high-performance DRAM for their servers, leaving less supply for consumer electronics.

Hardware Compromises: With memory costs spiking, manufacturers might limit RAM or lower build quality just to keep prices steady.

Household Impact: It’s not just phones - analysts project price hikes of up to 10% on TVs and 20% on home appliances due to this same chip shortage.

Tech Review: We shift focus to two devices that are keeping it budget-friendly:

- Redmi Note 15

- Redmi Pad 2 Pro

Are these the best options for multitasking without breaking the bank?

As the market shifts to an AI-dominated ecosystem, are you willing to pay more for AI features, or would you rather settle for lower specs to save money?

Let us know in the comments!