Samsung memory price increases could put pressure on 2027 smartphone pricing

Smartphone manufacturers may face another component-cost squeeze as reports indicate Samsung's semiconductor division is negotiating mobile DRAM and NAND price increases of roughly 7–10 percent. Chinese manufacturers are reportedly among the first companies entering negotiations, with Apple expected to discuss pricing later in the year. The pressure is being driven partly by the AI infrastructure boom, which has encouraged memory manufacturers to prioritise high-bandwidth memory used in data centres.

That can tighten supply elsewhere even as smartphones demand more RAM and storage for local AI. A 16GB/512GB flagship naturally consumes far more memory silicon than an older 8GB/128GB device. Component increases do not translate directly into equivalent retail-price rises, but manufacturers must either absorb the cost, reduce specifications or pass part of it to buyers. The story is especially relevant as on-device AI simultaneously encourages phone makers to increase RAM.

The smartphone and data-centre AI booms are therefore beginning to compete for parts of the same semiconductor supply chain.