Lava Company to Increase Smartphone Prices in India by Up to 3000 Rupees; New Prices Effective November 15

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched a series of new top-up packages in India. These six new plans are among the most affordable in their segment and are voice-only plans.

Recently, the telecom regulator TRAI issued relevant directives requiring service operators to offer exclusively calling plans. Following Airtel, Vi has also introduced new tariffs focused solely on calls. Although some voice-only plans existed previously, the company has expanded its range of offerings.

For a large number of users in India who do not require mobile internet, call-only plans are quite useful. Typically, telecom companies include various bonuses in their packages, including mobile internet along with calling capabilities.

Vi has offered a total of six new plans dedicated exclusively to calls. The lowest price among them is 179 rupees. These plans are available in various validity periods, including a plan with a maximum validity of 365 days.

Details of Vi's new tariffs

The Vi plan priced at 179 rupees includes unlimited calls and 300 SMS. This tariff provides users with 25 days of validity, as well as access to the Vi Movie & TV app with additional benefits.

Vi has also introduced a plan for 185 rupees, valid for 28 days. It also includes unlimited calls, 300 SMS, and complimentary access to the Vi Movie & TV app.

The Vi plan for 203 rupees offers a full 30-day validity. It includes unlimited connectivity and access to 300 SMS, as well as complimentary access to the Vi Movie & TV App.

The Vi plan for 206 rupees also offers a monthly validity, unlimited connectivity, and 300 SMS, plus complimentary access to the Vi Movie & TV App.

There is also a Vi plan for 470 rupees, which is valid for 84 days. It includes unlimited calls, access to 900 SMS, and complimentary access to the Vi Movie & TV App.

A plan for 1849 rupees has appeared on Vi's official portal, offering only calling services and having the longest validity period—365 days, including 3600 SMS.

During September, there was a significant increase in food prices in India. A particularly noticeable jump in prices was recorded for onions, sugar, vegetable oil, and rice. The rise in the cost of these goods is having a stronger impact on rural areas.

According to the monthly economic review for October, retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 5.54% in September 2026, which is 71 basis points higher than the previous month. Food consumer inflation reached 7.74%, intensifying financial pressure on households.

This growth was not uniform across all regions. In September, rural retail inflation stood at 6.08%, while in urban areas it was 4.88%. Regarding food inflation, it was 8.06% in rural areas, exceeding 7.18% in urban centers, indicating more intensive food consumption in villages.

Onion prices doubled, becoming one of the main drivers of food inflation. Sugar prices rose by 30%, and cane sugar by 23%. The review also noted that refined oil prices increased by 15%, peanut oil by 14%, and rice by 8%.

Price pressure was intensified due to supply-side issues. Stocks of last season's onions (rabi) are dwindling, and the arrival of the new harvest (kharif) has been delayed by about a month. Sugar prices were also pressured by reduced beet sugar production, heavy rains, and 'red rot' disease.

Furthermore, the price increase may be linked to increased demand before the festive season and a decline in global sugar supply. According to the review, rice prices are also under pressure due to growing international demand for Indian rice. Price increases are observed at both the retail and wholesale levels.

Wholesale price index inflation grew from 9.92% in August to 11.39% in September. Inflation in the fuel and electricity categories in the wholesale market increased to 25.85%, and in the industrial goods category to 9.76%.

If the current pressure persists, the combination of high food prices and rising wholesale costs could create a complex inflationary situation. The review showed that food inflation continued to rise in September, while the global food price index was 5.8% higher compared to the previous year.

The main concern for the public is the increase in the prices of essential goods. The rapid rise in inflation in villages indicates that households residing in rural India are facing more serious difficulties in covering living expenses compared to urban residents.

Lava has announced festive promotions during which consumers can purchase smartphones and feature phones at reduced prices. This sale will be available both in online stores and offline points of sale and is timed for the upcoming holiday season.

During this festive sale, bank offers are available for Lava smartphones, allowing customers to buy mobile phones at a lower price than their original cost. Additionally, buyers are offered installment payment options without extra charges (No Cost EMI).

During the sale, the Lava BOLD N4 Lite model (with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage) can be purchased for 7549 rupees. The Lava Bold N2 5G (4 GB + 64 GB) is also available for 12,249 rupees.

The specifications of the Lava BOLD N4 Lite include a 6.56-inch qHD display, a 5000 mAh battery, and an 8-megapixel rear camera. The phone is equipped with a side fingerprint scanner.

The Lava Virat V1 is also part of the promotion. Its starting price is 9,745 rupees, and it is available on Amazon India. This model features 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, along with a 13-megapixel camera. It runs on the Unisoc SC9863A processor and is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery.

Lava also offers discounts on feature phones during the holidays. Models participating in the promotion include the Lava Gem Power Plus, Lava A2 Smart, and Lava Hero Shakti 2026. The original retail price of the Lava Gem Power Plus is 1759 rupees, but during the holiday sale, it can be bought for 1699 rupees. The Lava A2 model has an MRP of 1286 rupees, but its price is reduced to 1199 rupees during the sale.