Memory Crunch May Make 16GB Smartphones Scarce
Smartphones featuring 16GB of RAM may become increasingly rare from next year, as a global memory supply crunch continues to push up production costs, according to industry sources. Manufacturers are reportedly considering a shift away from high-RAM models toward more affordable alternatives, a move that could even lead to a resurgence of 4GB RAM smartphones in the budget segment. GSM Arena reported the development.
Prices of several flagship smartphones have already risen compared to their previous generations. At the same time, reports suggest that Samsung is planning to raise prices of its mid-range devices in price-sensitive markets such as India.
However, increasing prices across all markets is not seen as a viable solution. As a result, many manufacturers may opt to cut costs by lowering RAM configurations rather than passing the full burden onto consumers.
Sources indicate that production of 12GB RAM smartphones could decline by as much as 40 percent, with 6GB and 8GB RAM models filling the gap.
The situation is being further aggravated by rapidly growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and GDDR5 DRAM chips used in AI-driven data centres, intensifying pressure on the global memory supply chain.
DBTech/BMT/OR
