Multiple smartphone models see price hikes — this is only the beginning...

Industry-wide price shock as memory costs bite

China’s smartphone market is undergoing a broad price reset as makers pass sharply higher component costs on to buyers. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 launch confirmed the shift: the S26 series in China starts at 6,999 yuan, with the Ultra breaking the 10,000-yuan mark — roughly 1,000 yuan more than the previous generation. At the same time domestic brands including Honor (荣耀), Xiaomi (小米), vivo (vivo), OPPO (OPPO), realme (真我) and OnePlus (一加) have either raised launch prices or are lining up higher‑spec models that tilt the bill toward consumers.

What’s driving the rises?

The proximate cause is a dramatic jump in memory and storage costs. It has been reported that 1TB flash memory unit costs have climbed from around 200 yuan to nearly 600 yuan, and Counterpoint Research’s February price‑tracking reportedly shows DRAM, NAND and HBM prices up 80–90% versus late 2025. IDC and Counterpoint also forecast a notable "volume down, price up" shift — global average selling prices rising and shipments edging lower. Manufacturers’ responses vary: some have trimmed order volumes, some (reportedly including Meizu (魅族)) have paused projects, and many are choosing to stack specs—bigger RAM and storage—to make higher prices feel justified.

Bigger picture and what consumers face

Why does this matter beyond sticker shock? China accounts for roughly 23% of global smartphone shipments, so changes here ripple through supply chains and global pricing strategies. Analysts point to a mix of market and geopolitical pressures—tightened supply of advanced components following export controls and broader trade tensions have compounded cost pressures, it has been reported. The result: midrange devices are creeping toward yesterday’s flagship prices, and premium models are routinely breaching the 10,000-yuan threshold. Will consumers keep upgrading as before? Or will higher prices slow replacement cycles and reshape product tiers?

Short-term choices and longer-term implications

Counterpoint’s forecasts suggest the “2000‑yuan, three‑year” sweet spot many Chinese consumers relied on may be fading. With a packed release calendar through March and April — Xiaomi 17 Ultra, vivo X300 Ultra, OPPO Find N6, Honor Magic V6 variants and others — brands are betting that richer specs will justify steeper prices. For buyers the calculus is simple: buy older models now, or brace for pricier new hardware as the industry absorbs a new cost baseline.