Your smartphone’s value may improve in 2026 — and you will have AI to thank for that.
In accordance with a December 2025 report from world market intelligence agency Worldwide Information Company (IDC), the manufacturing of Random Entry Reminiscence (RAM), used to retailer information in units akin to computer systems and telephones, is being reallocated to support AI data centers, moderately than being integrated into telephones and PCs.
Simply as your smartphone runs quicker with extra reminiscence obtainable, so do AI information facilities. As extra companies rely on AI tools, the significance of dependable processing energy will increase, resulting in the elevated utilization of extra RAM.
IDC expects DRAM (Dynamic Random Entry Reminiscence) provide development to be beneath historic norms in 2026 at 16% year-on-year.
Because the hunt for reasonably priced RAM turns into more and more difficult for smartphone producers like Apple, Google, and Samsung, their prices are more likely to rise, which might impression the costs they cost customers.
“Within the case of the upcoming reminiscence disaster, that is one thing that can hit the market arduous,” IDC senior analysis director Nabila Popal instructed CNET in December. “These distributors could have virtually no alternative however to go the elevated price to customers.”
Market evaluation agency Counterpoint additionally expects a slower yr for all telephone producers. The agency tasks world smartphone shipments to lower 2.1% in 2026.
The agency’s analysis means that the value for reminiscence might improve 40% by way of the second quarter of 2026, as a tool’s reminiscence can characterize wherever from 10% to twenty% of the overall invoice of supplies.
Bigger producers with a broader vary of merchandise supplied, by way of value, ought to fare higher than others, in line with Counterpoint senior analyst Yang Wang, whereas lower-end markets will probably be hit the toughest.
“Apple and Samsung are greatest positioned to climate the following few quarters,” Wang mentioned. “However it will likely be powerful for others that do not have as a lot wiggle room to handle market share versus revenue margins.
Even nonetheless, Counterpoint predicts that common promoting costs will improve by 6.9%. For folks trying to purchase the iPhone 17 Max base mannequin, that might imply ultimately paying nearer to $1,281, up from the $1,199 price ticket introduced in 2025.
