On January 28th, reports emerged indicating that, despite recent significant capacity expansions undertaken by overseas storage chip producers, industry projections reveal that the full utilization of this new capacity will not occur until the latter half of 2027 or beyond. This implies that the current scarcity of storage chips is not expected to alleviate in the near future. Sources within the storage sector disclose that, although leading domestic smartphone makers are grappling with storage deficits, the situation has not reached a critical juncture. These sizable enterprises possess a robust market presence and are prepared to procure inventory even in the face of moderate price escalations. Nevertheless, smaller manufacturers specializing in budget-friendly smartphones (retailing for approximately RMB 1,000) are encountering heightened strain.

Omdia analyst Zhong Xiaolei emphasized that the escalating prices of storage chips are exerting a substantial influence on material expenses, potentially necessitating price increases for models priced below $100. For models priced above $200, manufacturers have the flexibility to mitigate cost hikes by recalibrating peripheral configurations, providing channel subsidies, and trimming marketing outlays. However, compromises on specifications could impede the broader adoption of AI-integrated smartphones in 2026.