What happened this month
The market facts, as of 22 October 2026:
- Locally made phones are up about 55% this year. Mohamed Talaat, head of the Telecom and Mobile Phones Division at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, says rises of 5–7% arrive every 10–15 days (Ahram Online, 4 Oct 2026).
- The cheapest locally made phone is now about EGP 7,000, up from about EGP 4,500 at the start of 2026. Top local models reach about EGP 60,000.
- Imported phones carry extra customs and fees of 38.5–40% and can cost up to EGP 100,000 (Elbalad).
- Sales of locally made phones are down about 20% in 2026.
- The dollar passed EGP 54 on 20 October, its highest since April (Masrawy). Banque Misr's rate sheet on 21 October showed about 54.33 (buy) and 54.43 (sell).
- On 21 October Talaat said phone prices rose 6.5–8.5% and iPhones 5–7%, and blamed the dollar. He also said sales fell about 20% over six months and that prices will keep rising until the start of 2027 (Elbalad).
Why prices keep moving
There are two explanations, and the same speakers have given both on different dates.
Chips and memory. Global shortages and higher prices for RAM, ROM and chips, linked to AI demand (Elbalad). Talaat also blames a few companies that control memory supply and are shifting to AI products (El Nabaa).
The dollar. Mohamed Hedaya El-Haddad, head of Giza's mobile traders, says some companies build a hedge against exchange-rate moves into their pricing, and will watch the dollar to decide whether to raise prices again (Masrawy).
Dostor's 21 October update describes the official market as stable (Dostor). Our view: don't wait on the dollar alone. Watch your own supplier's price list.
How far to trust the numbers
Nearly all the price figures come from one person, Talaat. El-Haddad in Giza backs the direction of travel but not the exact figures. We found no independent price data from shops or wholesalers.
| Point | What is reported | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Size of rise | About 55% (Talaat) | Other reports say 45–55%, some companies 60% |
| Scope | Locally made phones | Do not apply 55% to imported or used phones |
| Frequency | Every 10–15 days | One report says 20 days; a 'weekly 7%' headline looks exaggerated |
| Duty | 38.5% or about 40% | An older 2025 figure was 37.5%; the line-by-line breakdown is unconfirmed |
What that means for you: your own supplier invoices are the best data you have. Compare the last two invoices for the same model and see the real increase.
Why it matters at the counter
Stock you bought last week now costs more to replace. But customers are buying less: sales are down about 20%, and El-Haddad says consumers no longer accept the repeated increases, with pressure falling on traders and consumers alike.
So you are squeezed from both sides. Price on old cost and you lose margin without noticing. Raise too fast and the customer walks. Guessing won't solve it. A routine will.
What to do (the blog's opinion, not sourced)
The points below are our suggestions. None of the sources above say them.
1. Price from replacement cost, not what you paid
A hypothetical example: you bought a phone for EGP 10,000 and sold it for 11,000. Your supplier then raises the price 6.5%, so replacing it costs 10,650. You are left with EGP 350 before expenses. If another 7% rise lands 10–15 days later, replacement is about 11,395, which is above your selling price.
The rule: selling price = the latest supplier price you could buy at today + your margin. When the supplier changes, change yours the same day.
2. Fix a re-pricing routine
If rises come every 10–15 days, as Talaat says, a monthly review is too slow. Update prices whenever a new invoice or supplier list arrives. For fast-selling models, ask suppliers for the current price at least twice a week.
3. Shorten your stock cover
Sales are falling, so stock sitting on the shelf ties up your cash. Buy a few weeks of cover for fast movers and cut slow models. Small, frequent orders protect you from rising prices without piling up stock.
4. Date every quote
Any price you send on WhatsApp, Facebook or TikTok goes stale quickly. Write 'price valid until (date)' or 'today's price' next to it. That stops a customer coming back a week later with a screenshot asking for the same price.
5. Don't over-order on 'prices only go up'
Talaat expects rises until the start of 2027, but he also says sales are down. A big order on a guess can turn into dead stock and customers who aren't buying.
What to watch
- The dollar. El-Haddad says companies are watching it. Banque Misr's 21 October sheet showed 54.33 buy and 54.43 sell. We did not find the rate for 22 October itself.
- Local factory output. Talaat says local factories don't yet produce enough to cover demand, and a Youlyou report is headlined as saying higher output is the condition for prices to fall (Youlyou). There are 15 phone factories in Egypt, and one report says they cover 92% of the brands the market asks for, though the original source of that figure is unclear.
- Early 2027. That is when Talaat expects the rises to stop. Don't build your whole buying plan on it.
What to do next
- Today: compare the last two invoices for your top 10 models and work out the real increase.
- Update your price list to current replacement cost and put a date on every quote.
- Set a stock cover in weeks for each fast model and don't go above it.
- Put a fixed weekly slot in your calendar for price review.