iPhone 18 Series Might See a Price Increase Due to The Memory Crisis
iPhone 18 Series Might See a Price Increase Due to The Memory Crisis
https://www.gizchina.com/apple/iphone-18-series-might-see-a-price-increase-due-to-the-memory-crisis
Publish Date: 2026-01-28 21:10:00
Source Domain: www.gizchina.com
Unfortunately, the memory shortage is expected to remain a challenge in 2026. There are no clear signs of improvement, especially as the AI industry continues to consume large volumes of memory components. The pressure is already affecting the PC market, has an impact on gaming consoles, and will eventually reach smartphones. Even Apple may not be immune. As a result of these market conditions, the upcoming iPhone 18 series could end up costing more than previous generations.
Samsung Puts Pressure on Apple With Costlier DRAM
A recent report from South Korea claims that Samsung has raised LPDDR RAM chip prices by as much as 80% compared to what it charged Apple in the fourth quarter of 2025. That is a significant jump for a component that was once considered relatively low-cost in modern electronics. The same report, citing industry sources, says SK Hynix, another major DRAM supplier, has increased its DRAM prices by up to 100%. For those who have been following DDR4 and DDR5 trends, rising memory prices are not entirely surprising, with AI demand widely seen as a major driver.
In the past, Apple has managed to soften the impact of component price increases through long-term agreements with key suppliers. This time, however, the company appears to be facing more pressure. Reports suggest Apple has secured a deal with Samsung that locks in DRAM pricing only for the first half of the year.
Key Points
- a]:text-primary dark:[&a]:text-white [&a]:underline md:text-lg text-base”AI demand is consuming large volumes of memory components.
- a]:text-primary dark:[&a]:text-white [&a]:underline md:text-lg text-base”Apple may not be immune to rising component costs.
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