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Memory chip price surge could trigger smartphone market crisis in 2026
The smartphone market is facing mounting instability in early 2026, driven by a sharp and sustained surge in memory chip prices. According to popular tipster Digital Chat Station, the impact is already rippling across product segments, with mid-range phones on the verge of being pulled from shelves and next-gen flagships entering development limbo.
The strain isn’t limited to increased bill of materials (BOM) costs. It is disrupting brand roadmaps and forcing internal teams to rethink launch schedules. Even Apple has reportedly felt the pressure, as suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix have raised LPDDR memory prices by up to 100%. Some value-segment devices released in late 2025 may be phased out earlier than planned, while their successors have been pushed to mid-2026 or later. When they do eventually launch, many are expected to carry higher price tags.
Digital Chat Station also says that some internal product teams now view new smartphone launches as high-risk financial liabilities. In response, several brands have already paused development of their next-generation flagship phones. There is growing concern that brands may exit certain regional markets entirely to stem losses.
In a related post from late January, the same source pointed to the mid-range segment, especially the 2,000 to 2,500 yuan tier ($275-$345), as the most vulnerable. The pressure is evident: early Snapdragon 8 Elite phones have quietly dropped launch discounts, the price difference between 512GB and 256GB models has widened to over 400 yuan ($58), and 1TB variants are practically disappearing. Some phones are slashing production volumes just weeks after launch, while others aren’t making it out of prototype stages.
As pricing volatility collides with thinning margins, it’s clear that 2026 might be less about product innovation and more about survival. What used to be a battle of specs could quickly turn into a test of who can stay afloat, and which phone brands are still standing when the dust settles.
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The post Memory chip price surge could trigger smartphone market crisis in 2026 appeared first on Gizmochina.
