How much did Chinese smartphones get more expensive?

I can't give you exact figures on the price increases because prices jump around depending on the model, region, and exchange rates, but yeah, Chinese flagship and mid-range phones have gotten noticeably more expensive over the last few years. You'll end up paying more, but how much exactly depends on the specific model and store - there can be a pretty wide range there.

You feel the difference most when you look not at the absolute numbers, but at what you used to get for your money - a flagship - versus what you get now, which is only a mid-range phone. On top of the exchange rate, there are customs fees and logistics added in, and that hits the wallet way harder than the price increase at the manufacturing stage itself.

The main thing I'd say is don't fall for the discounts and sales they're pushing hard right now! It looks like the price dropped, but really it's just an inflated starting price that they slash later. Yeah, you'll end up overpaying, especially if you're going for current models, but sometimes it's worth catching a good deal during a promo or checking out the previous generation instead - the prices have already settled there and you can save quite a bit!

Instead of looking at Russian prices, try comparing the same model across different countries - it's often cheaper in neighboring ones. From my search experience, the price increase is real, but it's not the same across the board: some models went up just a tiny bit, while the premium segment has a much bigger markup. And I totally agree about the discounts - they're often fake, but sometimes you do find decent deals if you catch them right when a new model comes out or at the end of the sale season.