The fact that so many midrange devices ranked among the best-selling smartphones in the world provides further evidence that many people aren't willing to pay nearly $1,000 for a new smartphone — even though that price range has become the norm. Samsung's Galaxy S10 starts at $900, for instance, while the iPhone 11 Pro begins at $1,000. Google's Pixel 4 starts at $800, while LG's G8 ThinQ is priced at $850.
Counterpoint Research's report isn't the first indication that consumers are shying away from more expensive devices. A report from NPD Group published in early December found that less than 10% of people in the United States are spending more than $1,000 on a new mobile device.
Paying $1,000 or close to it for a new smartphone may be typical in today's market, but smartphones weren't always so expensive. The iPhone 7, which launched in 2016, started at $650 if you opted for the standard model and $770 if you chose the larger version with two cameras. But as smartphones gained more advanced features like edge-to-edge screens and facial recognition, prices began to increase.