Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Smartphone RAM and storage costs have nearly quadrupled over the past year, with a 12GB + 512GB configuration now costing manufacturers approximately $218 more, according to a top Xiaomi executive.
- While brands have used existing inventory to maintain lower prices, those supplies are running out, leading to predicted flagship price hikes of $100-$200.
RAM prices have kept climbing for much of this year, shocking the supply chain and forcing brands across product categories to pass on the rising costs to consumers or even outright kill some products. While it’s easy to see the skyrocketing prices of components in PCs, it’s much harder for consumers to notice the price increases on phones. If you’ve been wondering just how bad RAMageddon will pinch you on your next phone purchase, we finally have some credible numbers to relate to.
Xiaomi Group President Mr. Lu Weibing took to Weibo to inform consumers about the recent memory price increase.
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