Fairphone says memory now accounts for 60% of materials cost amid shortage

Fairphone says memory now represents about 60% of its materials cost as an AI-driven shortage raises prices and reduces availability, according to Tom's Hardware. The company says smaller laptop and phone manufacturers are being forced to reconsider product designs and procurement strategies. Limited availability can be as disruptive as higher pricing for smaller buyers because they have less leverage in allocation negotiations. The report also says some companies are testing for counterfeit chips as they look beyond established supply channels. Fairphone's experience is one company's perspective, not a market-wide bill-of-materials benchmark. It nevertheless provides a concrete downstream example of how memory scarcity is affecting product planning and supply-chain risk for smaller electronics brands.