2026 Smartphone Crisis: RAM Shortages to Downgrade Specs and Hike Prices
Tech News, 16 December, 2025: RAM shortages stem from massive demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in AI data centers by companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta, driving up consumer-grade DRAM prices.
Impact on 2026 Smartphones
High-end phones successors may stick at 12GB RAM instead of upgrading to 16GB, while current 16GB models could drop to 12GB. Mid-range devices will likely cap at 8GB (down from 12GB options), and budget phones revert to 4GB from 6-8GB, slowing AI features and multitasking.
| Segment | Current RAM (2025 Standard/Option) | Predicted 2026 Shift (Downgrade/Cap) |
| High-End Flagships | 12GB / 16GB options | Sticking at 12GB (not upgrading to 16GB) |
| Upper Mid-Range | 16GB options | Dropping back to 12GB |
| Mid-Range Devices | 12GB options / 8GB standard | Capping at 8GB |
| Budget Phones | 6GB-8GB options | Reverting to 4GB |
Price and Market Effects
Experts predict Q1 2026 price hikes of $50-70 per device, especially mid/low-end, as makers pass costs or cut specs to minimize losses. TrendForce notes fewer 12GB (40% drop) and 8GB (50% drop) models, with microSD slots possibly returning for storage workarounds. This irony hurts on-device AI, which needs ample RAM.
