Rising memory costs push phone makers toward older models and software features

Higher memory prices are adding pressure to smartphone and notebook shipments in 2026, according to DIGITIMES. The publication expects continued AI-infrastructure investment to keep memory quotations rising into 2027. In response to higher retail costs and weaker buying interest, hardware makers including Samsung are leaning on software differentiation, AI integration, after-sales services, cost controls, and promotion of older-generation models. The supplied summary does not quantify shipment or price changes.