Insights Everyday Tech
Phones are getting dearer as memory chips cost more: what to do
The short version
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in the third quarter, the weakest for that period since 2012, according to Counterpoint Research. Costlier memory chips are pushing manufacturers to raise prices and sell fewer devices.
What happened
Memory chips are the parts that let a device store data and run apps. Their prices have climbed because AI infrastructure projects are taking up much of the supply, which raises production costs for phone makers.
Manufacturers have responded by raising retail prices, cutting shipments and focusing on profit rather than volume. Samsung stayed on top with a 23% share, and Apple reached 22%. Xiaomi fell by more than 30% as it stepped back from cheaper phones and some overseas markets.
Counterpoint expects the rest of 2026 to stay difficult, with production cuts and a focus on premium models likely to continue.
Why it matters to you
Price-sensitive buyers are under pressure. Counterpoint says they face higher device prices and limited availability of components.
People are already adapting. The analyst notes that consumers are keeping devices longer and looking more at refurbished ones.
What to do
If your current phone still works well, consider keeping it longer.
If you must buy, compare a few options, including refurbished devices from a seller that offers a warranty. For a business, list which devices will need replacing soon and plan those purchases early.
Sources
- Global smartphone shipments record worst third quarter in 14 years BusinessDay (opens in a new tab)
- Global smartphone shipments fall 20% as memory costs push up prices Developing Telecoms (opens in a new tab)
- PC Prices Could Stay High Through 2027: What Buyers Should Know TechRepublic (opens in a new tab)
- iPhone hits record Q3 shipment share as global smartphone market plunges 20%, per report 9to5Mac (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
Free website check
Is your own website in good shape?
Get a score out of 100 for speed, security, Google visibility and trust in about 30 seconds, with the three things most worth fixing. Free, and no email needed.