The RAM Crunch: Why Your Next Smartphone Will Cost More in 2026

According to IDC, a RAM shortage is looming as the most formidable obstacle facing the smartphone industry in 2026, with the supply disruption likely to curb market growth. The IDC assessment follows a 1.9% positive growth in 2025 and notes that Apple and Samsung together held 39% of global sales, up from 37% in 2024. Industry observers, including Ryan Reith, Group Vice President for Client Devices at IDC, warn that the shortage could reshape the landscape and influence pricing across devices.

Avi Greengart of Techsponential suggests manufacturers may use “disguised price increases” or “specification recalibrations” rather than overt hikes, such as diminished storage capacity or the use of legacy display panels to protect margins. The report anticipates higher retail prices for the average consumer, with price moves more likely in entry-level and mid-range segments. Following CES 2026, attention turns to MWC 2026 in late February to see if pricing strategies will reflect the anticipated memory constraints.