Memory prices for smartphones have risen 80-90% in 2026, making components like DRAM and NAND more expensive than flagship processors, leading to higher device prices.
© D. Novikov
Since early 2026, memory prices for smartphones have surged significantly. According to a Counterpoint Research report, costs for DRAM, NAND, HBM, and other memory types have risen by 80–90% compared to the end of last year. This has led to record-high component prices, directly impacting the cost of final devices.
Insider Digital Chat Station points out that the combined cost of 16 GB of LPDDR5X and a 1 TB UFS 4.1 storage drive has already surpassed the price of a flagship processor like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. For a long time, the chipset was the most expensive part of a smartphone, but now memory and storage are catching up and sometimes even exceeding it in price.
It is projected that by the end of the second quarter, the cost of such a configuration will exceed 2,300 yuan, increasing pressure on manufacturers. Some companies, including Meizu, have paused in-house hardware development and are seeking partners, while others are adjusting smartphone prices. In China, OnePlus and OPPO have already taken this step.
For consumers, this means inevitable price hikes, affecting not only premium models but also budget and mid-range ones. Even low-cost phones face pressure from expensive components, which is reflected in market prices.
However, there is a silver lining: the rise in component costs comes with improved device specifications. Manufacturers are offsetting higher prices with more powerful hardware and adding new features, delivering what users expect from modern smartphones.