In 2026, the global smartphone market is projected to witness a significant downturn, primarily attributed to the escalating prices of memory chips. Spurred by a burgeoning demand for AI computing capabilities, the production capacity for memory chips has reached its limits, precipitating a dramatic surge in prices. Over the past three months, spot prices for memory chips used in smartphones have surged by over 300%, with analysts predicting a persistent supply shortage throughout the year.

In response to these soaring costs, leading smartphone brands such as Xiaomi and Vivo have already instituted multiple rounds of price increases. As a result, the average selling price (ASP) of smartphones has generally risen by over 20%, with even entry-level models now surpassing the 2,000-yuan threshold. Memory chips, which now constitute 30%-60% of the total component costs in smartphones, have emerged as the principal determinant influencing smartphone pricing strategies.