Rising RAM Costs Threaten Smartphone Specs: A 2026 Shift

Starting from the first quarter of 2026, the electronics market faces a sharp rise in RAM prices, significantly affecting smartphone specifications. As insider yeux1122 reports, memory stockpiles are gradually depleting, making RAM costs a crucial part of device production expenses. Manufacturers are preparing to offset rising costs by increasing prices and simplifying configurations simultaneously.

In smartphones, these changes will be particularly noticeable. Models with 16GB of memory are likely to become scarce, except for certain flagships. The share of devices with 12GB RAM could decrease by more than 40%, shifting the focus to versions with 6GB and 8GB. The 8GB segment will shrink even more, with volumes reduced by more than half, leading to a resurgence of mass models with 4GB and 6GB RAM, especially in the budget class.

Similar trends are expected in the laptop market. Deliveries of models with 16-64GB of memory are set to decrease by more than 60%, with the main volume consisting of 16GB versions. In the 8-16GB segment, demand for 8GB will remain, while 16GB will be cut by about a third. Configurations with 8GB will stay on sale but will see price increases.

Insider yeux1122 previously accurately reported on the specifications of the iPhone Air, details about the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, the postponement of new MacBook Pro releases to early 2023, the absence of a titanium version in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, the RAM volume in the iPhone 16 series, and battery details of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.