TrendForce predicts a sharp 2026 surge in DRAM and NAND prices, forcing smartphones and laptops toward higher prices and leaner specs. See who's hit hardest.
© A. Krivonosov
TrendForce’s latest analysis points to a sharp new upswing in memory prices in the first quarter of 2026. Rising costs for DRAM and NAND are already squeezing smartphone and laptop makers, pushing them toward unpopular moves—raising price tags and trimming specifications to keep budgets in check. For buyers, the trade-off is becoming familiar: spend more or settle for leaner configurations.
Analysts note that memory’s share of the bill of materials in consumer electronics keeps climbing. Even Apple, despite its strong margins, will face a substantial increase in component expenses. That, in turn, could prompt a rethink of pricing strategy—fewer markdowns on previous iPhone generations or higher prices for new models. The message between the lines is clear: the room for generous promotions is narrowing.
Android brands, especially in the mid-range and budget segments, will have the hardest time. In these tiers, memory capacity is both a key marketing lever and a meaningful slice of product cost. In 2026, companies will have to raise starting prices and adjust model life cycles to offset rising expenses. The value ladder many users are used to may shift up a rung.
Laptop makers won’t be spared either. Premium ultrabooks—where memory is soldered to the board and can’t be cheapened with modular swaps—are the most vulnerable. In the mass market, the impact is slightly softer for now thanks to existing inventories of lower-cost memory, but significant price adjustments are expected by the second quarter of 2026. Any temporary cushion from stockpiles looks just that—temporary.
TrendForce forecasts a broader pivot toward spec reductions and delayed upgrades, most notably in DRAM, which takes the biggest bite out of costs. As a result, entry-level smartphones in 2026 could again ship with just 4 GB of RAM, while mid-range models edge toward minimal baselines. In budget laptops, cutting RAM is constrained by operating system and processor requirements, leaving manufacturers with fewer levers to pull as prices climb.