In the second quarter of 2026, contract prices for mobile DRAM memory will continue to rise sharply, creating significant financial pressure for smartphone manufacturers. According to forecasts by the analytical agency TrendForce, the price of LPDDR4X memory is expected to increase by 70–75% compared to the previous quarter, while LPDDR5X is projected to rise by 78–83%. This is reported by Ixbt.com .
South Korea's two major suppliers, Samsung and SK Hynix, have chosen different approaches to pricing policy. While Samsung has increased prices abruptly and significantly, SK Hynix is employing a gradual growth strategy. Final prices are expected to be determined by the end of May.
The continuous rise in memory prices over several quarters has negatively impacted the mobile industry. Manufacturers have been forced to reduce planned smartphone production volumes for 2026 and have faced difficulties in fulfilling long-term contracts.
This situation has led to a revision of smartphone technical specifications. Currently, flagship models are primarily using 12 GB of memory instead of 16 GB. While 8 GB has become the standard for mid-range devices, budget models are being limited to 4 GB, and models with 2 GB and 3 GB are gradually disappearing from the market.
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