Smartphone RAM and Storage Could Get Even More Expensive

Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division reportedly wants to raise rates for smartphone DRAM and NAND memory by 7% to 10%, according to Korean publication Sisa Journal e.

Key points

• Based on Omdia's figures, the cost of an 8GB + 256GB memory configuration has rose from $35 in Q3 2025 to an estimated $144 by Q4 2026.
• Samsung Galaxy A18 4G Launches With New Exynos Chip and 6 Years of Updates.
• Period 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage.
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Negotiations with Chinese smartphone manufacturers are already underway. Samsung is additionally anticipated to seek new pricing terms with Apple during the fourth quarter, between October and December.

Samsung's own smartphone business will reportedly face the same increases since its semiconductor DS division and device-focused DX division operate separately.

Apple could have considerable bargaining power. Analysts estimate that the firm buys roughly twice as much smartphone NAND as Samsung and three times as much as Xiaomi, giving it greater leverage during negotiations.

Meanwhile, the broader matter is that memory manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, are generating stronger margins from products such as HBM and server DRAM. Consequently, manufacturers are prioritizing these higher-margin memory products instead of LPDDR memory commonly applied in smartphones.

Although the pace of increases may slow, market research firm Omdia notes DRAM and NAND costs have already risen sharply since last year and are projected to remain elevated through the first half of 2027. Period 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage. Q3 2025 $35 $60. Q3 2026* $140 $202. Q4 2026* $144 $206. Samsung Quietly Adds Galaxy A08 to Its Budget Lineup.

These figures reflect only the cost of RAM and storage components, so continued increases could put extra pressure on smartphone manufacturers' margins and retail pricing. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, smartphone RAM and Storage Could Get Even More Expensive is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.