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Rising memory costs are adding pressure to smartphone prices and configurations, but they do not prove that every iPhone or Samsung Galaxy will get more expensive. The clearest near-term risk is to lower- and mid-range Android phones, where makers have less room to absorb higher component costs. Apple and Samsung may be better positioned than smaller rivals, but available estimates do not establish a fair, same-country price comparison between matched models.
Why are phones getting more expensive?
Smartphones use two different kinds of memory. DRAM is working memory that helps a phone run apps and tasks; NAND is flash storage for apps, photos, videos and other files. Higher costs for both can raise the bill of materials, while limited availability can influence how much memory manufacturers put in a device. The available analyses discuss these components together; they do not provide an official Apple-versus-Samsung breakdown of component costs.
Memory makers are also serving demand from AI infrastructure and servers, alongside electronics makers. That competition for supply is one factor cited in analyses of cost pressure, but the available public material does not establish how much of any phone-price change is caused by AI demand specifically.
What the forecasts and market data actually say
Gartner’s February 26, 2026 forecast projected a 130% increase in combined DRAM and SSD prices by the end of 2026 compared with 2025. Gartner also forecast that smartphone prices would rise 13% and worldwide smartphone shipments would fall 8.4% in 2026 versus 2025. These are forecasts, not final 2026 results. Gartner’s forecast and analyst comments
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Omdia’s July 2026 analysis reported global average smartphone capacity of 8.3 GB of DRAM and 279 GB of NAND storage in Q1 2026. It also reported that global smartphone shipments rose 0.5% year over year that quarter, while total DRAM and NAND capacities rose 6.1% and 10.7%, respectively. The quarter’s shipment result is an observed figure; it is not directly comparable to Gartner’s full-year 2026 forecast. Omdia said storage growth was concentrated in higher-end devices and linked in part to higher-resolution cameras and users’ photos and videos. Omdia’s Q1 2026 capacity and shipment analysis
TrendForce’s December 11, 2025 analysis had forecast further memory-price increases in Q1 2026 and described possible manufacturer responses: raise retail prices, trim specifications, adjust the lifecycle or price of existing models, or reduce or postpone upgrades. It also said a return to 4 GB base memory configurations was possible among low-end phones at that time. That was a forecast, not confirmation that today’s low-end phones generally use 4 GB. TrendForce’s December 2025 forecast
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Will Apple or Samsung raise phone prices?
TrendForce’s August 7, 2026 public summary says Apple’s next-generation flagship faced a sharp bill-of-materials increase and that Apple raised retail prices in response. It also describes the Android camp—particularly lower-margin makers—as more precariously positioned. The summary does not identify the country, exact price change, matched prior-generation model or full assumptions behind the comparison, so it cannot establish a universal price increase for iPhones or Samsung Galaxy phones. TrendForce’s August 2026 assessment
TrendForce’s assessment is that mid- and low-end Android makers face more acute retail-price pressure than Apple because they have less room to absorb component costs. Counterpoint Research’s December 16, 2025 analysis also placed Apple and Samsung among the brands better positioned to weather near-term cost pressure than some competitors. That is context about relative resilience, not evidence of final 2026 prices. Counterpoint Research’s 2026 market outlook
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A meaningful Apple-versus-Samsung price comparison requires matching the market, currency, date, storage tier and disclosed DRAM configuration. It should also use official unlocked prices and account for promotions or carrier subsidies. The available analyses do not supply all those figures for matched generations, so they do not support a claim that one brand raised a comparable phone’s price by a specific amount.
Will cheaper phones have less memory?
They may, but the more established pattern is a divide by price tier rather than a universal reduction. Omdia’s July 2026 analysis says low- and mid-range phones have faced capacity freezes, reductions or fewer high-capacity variants, while premium devices have continued memory upgrades. Its global Q1 averages—8.3 GB DRAM and 279 GB NAND—do not describe every model or price band.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
For shoppers, check the exact RAM and storage configuration on the listing, not just the family name. Storage is where photos and apps live; RAM affects how many tasks a phone can keep active smoothly. A lower storage tier may also be a poor trade if you take lots of video or intend to keep the phone for years.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you upgrade now or wait?
There is no evidence-based reason to panic-buy solely because of forecasts. If your current phone meets your needs, waiting for confirmed specifications and local prices is reasonable; the cited forecasts do not establish which future models will launch at what price in your country. If you need a replacement now, compare the current official price with the predecessor’s price at the same storage tier, and factor in the actual configuration rather than assuming capacity will stay unchanged.
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Gartner identified keeping devices longer and buying refurbished or second-hand as possible consumer responses to higher prices. Those are scenarios, not proof that a particular number of buyers has already changed behavior. When considering a used device, check software-update support and battery condition as well as price and memory configuration. Gartner’s February 2026 forecast
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
