The new budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026 has brought mixed effects in the world of technology. As a tech expert, I saw that this budget has brought some news of relief and some concern for the lovers of gadgets. While the prices of smartphones and tablets are expected to fall due to reduced taxes, on the other hand, some luxury and high-end gadgets may now be much more expensive than before. In simple words, this time the budget has made your budget cheaper at some places and expensive at other places depending on the gadget.
What will be cheaper?
The government has taken some big decisions to promote local manufacturing in the country, due to which many things you need can become cheaper. Now buying smartphones and tablets will be within your budget, because it has now become cheaper to import their essential parts (like battery covers and circuit boards) from outside.
Especially the prices of budget and mid-range phones are expected to reduce. Microwave oven, which makes kitchen work easier, can now be available at a lower price, because the government has given tax exemption on the parts making it. Apart from this, if you get any gadget (like camera or laptop) for yourself from abroad, now you will have to pay half the tax as before. The government has directly reduced it from 20% to 10%.
With this decision of the government, many gadgets will now become cheaper for you. Firstly, the prices of smartphones and tablets will fall as the duty on their parts and electronic components has been reduced. Also, due to reduction in the cost of manufacturing microwave, its price will also reduce. Apart from this, now it will become quite economical to import gadgets from abroad, because the tax on them has been reduced from 20% to half i.e. only 10%.
What will be expensive?
With the intention of promoting the country’s own premium brands, the government has increased taxes on some foreign goods, due to which many luxury gadgets will now become expensive. Now buying premium watches and professional photography or film making equipment from abroad will be very expensive. Also, with the end of tax exemption on coffee machines, it will now become expensive to prepare a coffee setup for home or office. The news is also not special for gamers, because the prices of gaming consoles and their parts may increase from April 1.
In short, this budget is great for those who want to buy a new phone or tablet, but professional creators and gamers will have to spend a little more money for their hobbies this year.
