Xiaomi 18 Ultra cancellation rumour shows how soaring memory prices could reshape 2027 flagships

A new leak claims Xiaomi has cancelled its planned Xiaomi 18 Ultra as sharply higher memory costs force manufacturers to reconsider extremely expensive flagship configurations. The report suggests Xiaomi may instead top the next family with a Pro Max model. Oppo and Vivo are also rumoured to be considering China-only distribution for future Ultra devices.

None of those companies has formally confirmed the changes, so the information should be treated as an early supply-chain report rather than settled product strategy. The underlying pressure is credible, however. AI infrastructure has driven enormous demand for DRAM and NAND, increasing costs for the same components required inside smartphones. Ultra-tier phones are particularly exposed because they combine large amounts of fast memory with expensive camera sensors, displays and flagship processors.

Manufacturers can respond by raising prices, reducing specifications or limiting the most elaborate devices to markets where very expensive phones sell more easily. For consumers outside China, the most noticeable outcome could be fewer internationally available camera flagships rather than simply higher prices. The 2027 smartphone market may therefore become a test of how much premium hardware buyers are willing to absorb.