Overview
The smartphone industry may be heading into an unexpected period of retrenchment. Ongoing global DRAM supply constraints and rising memory costs are expected to force manufacturers to scale back RAM configurations, revive 4GB base models, and even bring back microSD card slots by 2026. According to new industry forecasts, the memory crunch will affect everything from budget Android phones to flagship devices and ultra-thin laptops, reshaping pricing strategies and slowing hardware upgrades across the board.
DRAM Shortages Are Forcing Manufacturers to Rethink Specifications
A new report from market research firm TrendForce warns that DRAM prices are projected to rise sharply again in Q1 2026, placing significant cost pressure on global device manufacturers. Memory components are now accounting for a larger share of the bill of materials (BOM) in smartphones and PCs, leaving brands with limited room to absorb costs.
Rather than endlessly raising retail prices, many manufacturers are expected to reduce baseline specifications—a move that marks a clear shift away from the steady RAM inflation seen over the past decade.
4GB RAM Smartphones May Return to the Entry Level
One of the most notable consequences of rising memory prices is the expected return of 4GB RAM smartphones, particularly in the low-end and entry-level segments. While 6GB and 8GB RAM have become the de facto minimums in recent years, TrendForce suggests that cost-sensitive devices launching in 2026 may once again start at 4GB to remain competitively priced.
This reversal reflects a broader reality: RAM capacity remains a major marketing point, but it is also one of the most expensive components. As DRAM prices rise, manufacturers targeting mass-market buyers will be forced to compromise.
microSD Card Slots Could Make a Comeback
In a surprising twist, the DRAM crisis may also revive a feature many brands abandoned: the microSD card slot. With internal storage costs climbing alongside memory prices, expandable storage offers a cheaper way for consumers to increase capacity without inflating base model prices.
While flagship phones are unlikely to re-embrace microSD widely, its return in budget and mid-range devices would allow manufacturers to control BOM costs while giving buyers flexibility—something that has largely disappeared in recent years.
Flagship Phones Face Slower RAM Upgrades and Higher Prices
High-end smartphones are not immune. TrendForce notes that RAM upgrades in flagship and upper mid-range phones are expected to slow, with brands sticking to “minimum acceptable” configurations for longer product cycles.
Even companies with strong profit margins, such as Apple, are reportedly facing mounting memory-related cost pressure. Rising DRAM prices could lead manufacturers to reassess launch pricing, reduce discounts on older models, or adjust product lineups to protect margins.
Notebook and PC Markets Will Also Feel the Impact
The DRAM crunch extends beyond smartphones. Notebook manufacturers—especially those producing ultra-thin laptops with soldered memory—have fewer options to cut costs through configuration changes. As a result, these premium designs are expected to experience earlier and more pronounced price increases.
While short-term pricing stability may persist due to existing inventory, TrendForce warns that broader PC market price fluctuations are likely by Q2 2026, aligning with major industry events such as Computex.
Why This Matters
The expected return of 4GB RAM phones and microSD slots signals a rare moment of technological regression driven by economics, not innovation. If DRAM supply constraints persist through 2028 as projected, consumers may need to recalibrate expectations around specs, pricing, and upgrade cycles—especially in budget and mid-range devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are 4GB RAM smartphones returning in 2026?
Rising DRAM prices are forcing manufacturers to cut costs, especially in entry-level devices where RAM makes up a large portion of production expenses.
2. Will microSD card slots return to flagship phones?
Unlikely. microSD slots are expected to return mainly in budget and mid-range phones as a cost-saving alternative to higher internal storage.
3. How will DRAM shortages affect smartphone prices?
Manufacturers are expected to raise prices, slow RAM upgrades, shorten discounts on older models, or reduce base specifications to offset costs.
