Retroid is raising the price of its Pocket Nova gaming handheld later this week. The base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage will jump from 229 dollars to 239 dollars due to rising supply chain expenses. However, the premium version with 12GB RAM currently retains its original pricing.
According to an official statement from Retroid, the decision stems directly from the rising cost of purchasing Qualcomm processors alongside broader increases in raw materials. The company advised interested buyers to place their orders before the price adjustment takes effect to avoid the extra charge. The price increase is limited to the base configuration for now, while the high end 12GB version remains unaffected by the change.
The price adjustment reflects a wider trend in the semiconductor industry. Qualcomm leadership previously indicated plans to implement double digit price increases across its product lineup starting next month. Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon shared during a recent earnings call that the pricing adjustments are necessary to return profit margins to historical averages.
Amon explained that the rising costs are driven by the entire supply chain rather than memory chips alone. The chip manufacturer is negotiating prices with each of its clients individually to address the temporary gap between rising production costs and current contract pricing. Retroid appears to be among the first hardware partners passing these elevated silicon costs down to consumer retail prices.
