A new lineup of mobile phones has arrived at Etecsa entities in Cuba, highlighting the addition of the Samsung A226BR/DSN model as the latest addition to its catalog.
However, prices continue to generate discussion among users, especially when compared with those of the international market and when considering internal inflation and the exchange rate of the MLC.
The latest model: Samsung A226BR/DSN
This new equipment, which is presented as the most current option within the Etecsa list, has a cost of 388 MLC, equivalent to more than 102.000 Cuban pesos If we take into account the current informal exchange rate, which places the MLC en 264 CUP.
The Samsung A226BR/DSN features a 6,56-inch FHD display, 128GB of internal storage, and 4GB of RAM. It has an octa-core processor, a triple rear camera with up to 48MP, a 5000mAh battery, and runs Android 12. It also supports 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks, includes a fingerprint reader, and a dual-SIM slot.
Despite its acceptable specifications, this same model can be found on international stores such as Amazon or eBay for prices ranging from $120 and $150, in other words, around 44.000 to 55.000 Cuban pesos at the exchange rate of the dollar in Cuba (1 USD = 370 CUP). The difference with the price in MLC within the island exceeds 50.000 CUP.
Price comparison between available models
These are some of the models currently on sale through Etecsa entities and their prices in MLC:
- Samsung A226BR/DSN (new): 388.00 MLC
- TCL T799B: 510.18 MLC
- Samsung SM-A515F: 335.10 MLC
- TCL T770B: 299.04 MLC
- Samsung SM-A315G: 291.88 MLC
- TCL T766A: 200.14 MLC
- TCL T766J: 251.14 MLC
- Alcatel 5029E: 200.00 MLC
- LG K71: 510.00 MLC
- LG K41S: 177.47 MLC
If the value of each phone is converted to Cuban pesos using the exchange rate of MLC Currently, figures are obtained that exceed the monthly income of almost any worker in Cuba.
For example, the TCL T799B and the LG K7 cost more than 134.000 CUP and the Alcatel 5029E, which is one of the most economical, reaches the 52.800 CUP.
The impact of inflation and the technology gap
With an average salary in Cuba that barely exceeds 5800 CUP monthly, According to official figures from ONEI in April 2025, buying any of these phones represents an investment that could be equivalent to more than 20 full salaries.
For a person with a pension of 1800 CUP, the outlook is even more dramatic: it would take more than 56 months of income to buy the cheapest model.
Furthermore, many of these models have already become obsolete in the international market or are considered low-end. The LG K41S, for example, was launched in 2020 and still costs More than 177 MLC in Cuba, while in online stores in other countries it can be found for less than 80 USD.
What do Cubans say about these prices?
On social media, the comments were immediate:
“On Amazon, that Samsung is priced at $130, here they're pricing it as if it were an iPhone.”
"How do they expect us to live? A phone for 100.000 pesos? That's a house!"
“Not even Chinese cell phones are that expensive abroad anymore.”
The disconnect between the prices offered by Etecsa and the real values of the international market only fuels frustration among a population struggling to survive amid a deep economic crisis.
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Let us know what you think:
11 comments
They are old models with Android 10 or 9 and we are on 14 and almost 15.
Individuals get new ones at more affordable prices. I don't understand why they're offering such outdated models at those prices, as if they were current models. LG doesn't even make smartphones right now.
My son in Canada bought a Samsung S120 for just CAD 100 (USD 21), far superior to those sold by etecsa. What they are doing is scamming the people. Buying these products in bulk lowers their price considerably. The S21 is already considered low-end, just say the A226 is not even remotely the best of the Samsung. It's the biggest rip-off I've ever seen.
Those phones are out of use in Spain, they rot in storage, they are very expensive for the average Cuban. If here they have the latest generation ones, much more affordable than all those Cubans can communicate with, even with one from the year 2000, lol.
NO COMMENT
It is widely proven: Communism destroys countries, it does not work, we must change what needs to be changed.
Only foreign investment can change ETECSA's poor service.
Etecsa is doomed to failure and no one cares.
Etecla's mobile sales are crazy.
This country is the one that has family in the United States, they can sell at whatever price. What they don't have family in the United States, the devil take them. That's why we have to say, long live the United States, not Cuba. If we Cubans don't have land, every day, as always, the comments are duplicated. Why don't they upload them? Because the truth hurts, they squeeze more.
This country is the one that has family in the United States, they can sell at whatever price. What they don't have family in the United States, let the devil take them. That's why we have to say, long live the United States, not Cuba. If we Cubans don't have land, they squeeze more every day.
Everything's sky-high, so that even a Cuban, as they say, can afford this equipment. And even less so for a retiree. Those with family abroad can't even dream about it.