Smartphone brands might scale back RAM on upcoming devices as the global DRAM shortage continues. The supply crunch is pushing manufacturers to rethink their hardware plans, especially for midrange and budget phones, where 8GB and 12GB have become common.
According to TrendForce, memory prices are expected to rise sharply in early 2026. This puts pressure on brands that rely on higher RAM as a selling point. With DRAM taking up a bigger share of production costs, companies could return to lower baseline configurations to keep prices stable.
The shortage is also slowing RAM upgrades on premium devices. High‑end phones with soldered memory cannot easily reduce RAM, so these models could see higher prices instead of spec cuts.
Laptop makers face similar challenges, although existing inventory gives them a temporary buffer before adjustments become unavoidable later in 2026.
Manufacturers are expected to delay upgrades or standardize RAM at the lowest acceptable level for each segment. Entry‑level and midrange phones will feel this shift first. High‑end models could hold their ground, but pricing could move up as DRAM costs rise.
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For now, the industry is preparing for a year of tighter supply and more conservative hardware decisions. If memory prices stabilize, RAM upgrades could resume. Until then, users could see fewer high‑RAM options across new smartphone releases.
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