The skyrocketing prices of memory chips, driven largely by the huge demand for AI, have now landed the big three DRAM makers in hot water.

Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology (which together control nearly 95% of the global DRAM market) are facing a new class action lawsuit filed in California’s Northern District federal court. The suit accuses them of deliberately restricting production of key DRAM chips, even as demand from smartphones and PCs remains very strong.

According to the plaintiffs (which include individuals and small businesses), this artificial shortage has fueled what some are calling the “RAMpocalypse.” DRAM prices have shot up dramatically, in some cases by hundreds of percent, far more than what normal market forces would explain.

The impact is already being felt by everyday consumers. Apple recently raised prices on Macs, iPads, and other products, openly blaming surging memory and storage costs tied to the AI boom. Other PC and smartphone makers have also adjusted pricing or delayed launches.

The lawsuit, filed around June 25, 2026, claims the companies violated antitrust laws (specifically Section 1 of the Sherman Act) by shifting production capacity toward high-margin, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI servers while holding back on standard DRAM. This isn’t the first time these companies have faced such allegations: they paid billions in fines in the 2000s after similar collusion investigations.

So far, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron haven’t given detailed public responses to the new suit. In the past, they’ve denied any wrongdoing, saying their decisions on production and pricing are simply reactions to market conditions and the massive surge in AI demand.

The memory market is still under heavy pressure. Lenovo expects supply to remain tight well into 2027–2028 as data centers keep eating up chips, with new factories taking time to come online.

With DRAM now being one of the most expensive parts in many devices, how this case unfolds could have a big impact on pricing, competition, and innovation across the entire tech world for years to come.

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(Source | Via)

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Over the weekend, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed key details about the upcoming Vivo X500e. Now, a new leak courtesy of tipster Smart Pikachu suggests that the lineup will include as many as four models. At the same time, Digital Chat Station is back with another leak revealing more details about the Vivo X500 Pro Max.

Vivo X500 series variants revealed

As seen in the latest leak, tipster Smart Pikachu claims that the Vivo X500 series will include four models: the Vivo X500e, X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. While the leak does not mention them, the brand may also introduce two additional models, namely the X500s and X500 Ultra, in the first half of 2027.

Vivo X500 Pro Max key details tipped

According to Digital Chat Station, the current Vivo X500 Pro Max engineering prototype is said to feature a 6.85-inch 2K LTPO display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The panel is reportedly manufactured using LIPO packaging technology, allowing for ultra-slim, symmetrical bezels on all four sides. It is also tipped to feature large, rounded corners and a 2.5D flat display, with BOE expected to supply the panel.

The leak further claims that the engineering prototype is equipped with LPDDR6 RAM, indicating that Vivo could be among the first smartphone brands to adopt the next-generation memory standard. This also suggests that the device may be powered by the upcoming Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset.

On the camera front, the X500 Pro Max is tipped to retain a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor. According to previous reports, it will also feature a Sony LYT-838 50-megapixel primary camera with LOFIC technology, a 50-megapixel IMX8-series ultra-wide camera.

As for the battery, Digital Chat Station says Vivo is targeting a capacity beginning with the number “8,” suggesting that the phone could pack an 8,000mAh-class battery. However, the battery design has reportedly not been finalized yet.

As always, these details are based on an early engineering prototype, so the final specifications could change before launch.

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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series may not just introduce hardware upgrades, but could also bring one of the biggest price increases in recent years. A new prediction from market research firm IDC suggests buyers may have to pay considerably more for the Pro models, following Apple’s recent pricing changes for Macs and iPads.

IDC expects a steeper price increase

IDC’s latest forecast indicates that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could see a price increase of as much as $200 over their predecessors. Earlier, the firm had expected Apple to raise prices by around $100 for the Pro models and $50 for the standard iPhone 18. However, after Apple increased Mac and iPad prices by as much as $300 on certain models, IDC’s Senior Director of Data & Analytics, Nabila Popal, believes the iPhone lineup could follow a similar trend.

If IDC’s prediction turns out to be accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could start between $1,249 and $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be priced between $1,349 and $1,399. The research firm also expects Apple’s first foldable iPhone to debut this year with an estimated starting price of around $2,500, while higher storage variants could cost as much as $3,000.

According to IDC, rising memory prices are one of the key reasons behind the expected increase. The iPhone 18 Pro models are widely rumoured to feature 12GB of RAM, and the research firm points to Apple’s recent pricing strategy for devices with similar memory configurations. The M4 iPad Air and entry-level M5 iPad Pro both received notable price increases, suggesting Apple may adopt a similar approach for its premium smartphones.

Despite the expected increase, IDC believes demand for the Pro models is unlikely to suffer significantly. The firm says many users with an iPhone 15 or older are expected to upgrade to access Apple’s new Siri AI features, while Pro buyers generally remain less sensitive to higher prices. Monthly instalment plans could also make the increase easier for many customers to absorb.

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(via)

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Redmi is expected to unveil the Redmi Note 17 series next month in China. The lineup is said to include three models: the Note 17, Note 17 Pro, and Note 17 Pro Max. A recent leak revealed the key details of the Pro and Pro Max variants. Now, a new leak, courtesy of tipster Experience More, has once again tipped the key specifications of the Note 17 lineup, including the standard Note 17.

Redmi Note 17 key specifications

According to the tipster, the standard model will have a 6.83-inch flat OLED panel offering a 1.5K resolution. Under the hood, it will house the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset. While there is no information about its battery size, it is said to support 67W fast charging. It is also said to feature a 50-megapixel main camera and an optical in-display fingerprint sensor.

Redmi Note 17 Pro key specifications

The Pro model is said to feature a 1.5K flat display panel, but its screen size is not mentioned in the leak. It will be powered by the all-new Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 chip and a massive 9,000mAh battery.

The Pro edition will also have a 50-megapixel primary camera. The leak also mentions other features, such as dual speakers and a fully water-resistant body.

Redmi Note 17 Pro Max key specifications

The Pro Max edition’s screen size is also not mentioned, but it will again feature a flat display with 1.5K resolution support. It will be powered by the recently announced Dimensity 7500.

One of the major highlights of this phone is that it will house a huge 10,100mAh battery. For photography, it will have a 200-megapixel main camera. It will also feature dual speakers and a fully water-resistant chassis.

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The Honor X80 Pro Max is now on sale in China. It features the world’s largest smartphone battery at 11,000mAh and an incredibly bright 10,000-nit display. Additionally, Honor is offering a two-year drop-damage replacement guarantee that covers accidental screen damage caused by drops, collisions, or pressure, and includes both parts and labor for first-time drop damage. The base model is priced at 1,999 yuan (~$293).

As we covered at launch, the Honor X80 Pro Max is a mid-range phone focused on battery endurance and display brightness.

Price and Storage

The phone comes in four variants:

• 8GB + 128GB: 1,999 yuan (~$293)
• 8GB + 256GB: 2,199 yuan (~$322)
• 8GB + 512GB: 2,499 yuan (~$366)
• 12GB + 512GB: 2,799 yuan (~$410)

Color options include Vibrant Orange, Lightning Red, Moon Shadow White, and Mystic Black.

Honor X80 Pro Max Specifications

The Honor X80 Pro Max has a 6.8-inch screen with a 1.3mm bezel. The resolution and refresh rate peak at 1.5K (1280×2788) and 120Hz, respectively. But the 10,000-nit peak brightness is another industry first here.

Moreover, its 11,000mAh battery supports 90W wired fast charging and 27W reverse wired charging. Honor says the phone achieved a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous smartphone live stream at 26 hours, 8 minutes, and 34 seconds.

For photography, the X80 Pro Max includes a 50-megapixel rear camera with OIS and a CIPA 6.0-rated stabilization system, while selfies are handled by an 8-megapixel front camera.

The phone runs MagicOS 10.0 based on Android 16, powered by the Hummingbird Architecture 2.0 for background memory management. The chipset is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 platform. Other features include AI grip detection for calls, NFC, an infrared remote, and stereo dual speakers.

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