During the second quarter of 2026, contract prices for mobile DRAM have been experiencing a significant and sustained surge, imposing an increased cost burden on smartphone makers. In the face of this price escalation, the two leading South Korean memory chip producers have embraced distinct strategies. Samsung has a tendency to implement substantial price hikes all at once, whereas SK Hynix prefers a phased approach to price increases, with the final pricing slated to be finalized by the end of May. Based on projections from TrendForce, the average selling price of LPDDR4X is anticipated to climb by a minimum of 70%–75% on a quarter-over-quarter basis in Q2. Meanwhile, LPDDR5X is forecasted to see a price hike of 78%–83%.
