Recent research by TrendForce reveals that memory prices are projected to experience another sharp rise in the first quarter of 2026. This is creating significant cost pressure on end-device manufacturers globally.

Will computer and phone prices increase?

As a direct result of this pressure, smartphone and laptop brands are facing the necessity of increasing product prices and reducing device specifications. In light of these market developments, downward revisions to overall shipment forecasts are becoming inevitable, while market resources are becoming more concentrated on a few leading brands.

TrendForce notes that the share of memory components in the bill of materials (BOM) of consumer devices, particularly smartphones and personal computers, is steadily growing. Even for Apple, which boasts strong profitability, the share of memory components in the total BOM cost of iPhones is expected to increase significantly in the first quarter of 2026.

This could lead Apple to reassess its pricing strategies for new models and reduce or completely eliminate price reductions on older versions. The situation is even more critical for Android brands targeting the mid- and low-end segments.

In this segment, where memory is both a significant marketing differentiator and a major component of the BOM (Building Management), rising memory costs will force brands to increase the launch prices of new models they plan to release in 2026. They will also need to implement pricing or lifecycle adjustments to minimize losses for existing models.

The rise in memory costs is also causing laptop brands to adjust their product portfolios, supply strategies, and regional sales approaches. High-end thin laptops, in particular, where mobile DRAM is soldered directly to the motherboard, cannot reduce costs by downgrading features or changing modules.

These models also face tighter design constraints, making them the segment that will feel the price pressure earliest and most noticeably. In the consumer laptop market, demand remains sensitive to changes in features and prices.