According to a new investigation by TrendForce, memory (DRAM and NAND) prices are expected to rise significantly in the first quarter of 2026, putting heavy cost pressure on global end-product manufacturers such as smartphone and laptop makers. As a result, product prices are likely to be raised and hardware specifications adjusted downward. Overall sales forecasts may be revised downward again, as resources become increasingly concentrated among a small number of leading brands.
TrendForce notes that memory costs are taking up an increasing share of the bill of materials (BOM) in consumer devices, such as smartphones and PCs. Even for Apple’s iPhone, which historically enjoys higher profitability, memory will comprise a significantly larger portion of total BOM in early 2026, which could force Apple to rethink pricing strategies for new models and possibly reduce or eliminate planned price cuts on older devices.
For Android brands that compete primarily in the mid-to-low price segments, memory has already been a significant cost component and a key marketing point. With memory prices surging, these brands may also have to increase the prices of new phones and adjust pricing or supply schedules for older models to mitigate potential losses.
TrendForce also warns that laptop makers will face similar challenges, forcing them to adjust product lineups, procurement strategies, and regional sales plans. High-end thin-and-light laptops are likely to feel the pressure earliest and most sharply because they usually have mobile DRAM soldered directly to the motherboard, making it challenging to cut costs by changing module configurations.
In the broader consumer notebook market, although demand is sensitive to changes in specs and retail pricing, existing inventories of finished devices and lower-cost memory may help maintain current pricing in the short term. However, mid-to-long-term trends still indicate potential spec downgrades or price adjustments, with PC markets expected to exhibit more significant price declines in the second quarter of 2026.
TrendForce highlights that “spec downgrades” or “deferred upgrades” are becoming necessary levers for smartphone and laptop manufacturers looking to balance rising costs—especially where DRAM, a high-cost component, is concerned. The report anticipates that DRAM capacities in high-end and mid-range products will gravitate toward segment minimum standards, slowing the pace of capacity increases. In the low-end market, the impact will be most profound. For example, smartphones may revert to 4 GB of DRAM as a mainstream specification. At the same time, low-cost laptops may see DRAM configurations remain stable in the short term due to constraints on processor and operating system performance.
The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.
