Report: Next-generation phones may drop the "Ultra" ('超大杯') variant as memory prices surge

Lead: high memory costs threaten flagship tiers

It has been reported that a popular Chinese tech blogger, @数码闲聊站, warned the next generation of high-end smartphones may drop the "Ultra" (超大杯) model because memory prices have soared so high that an Ultra would be prohibitively expensive. Who will make that cut? The claim has circulated widely online and forced a fresh debate about where vendors will trim product lines to keep retail prices acceptable.

Which brands are under speculation

Netizens reportedly have largely ruled out Huawei (华为) and Apple, and instead pointed fingers at Xiaomi (小米), OPPO (欧珀), vivo (维沃) and Honor (荣耀) as the likely candidates to shelve an Ultra variant if component costs push retail tags above affordability. The blogger reportedly calculated that an Ultra SKU would have to sell for over RMB 10,000 to make margins work — a price the poster argued "who would buy?"

Why memory is jumping and the geopolitical backdrop

The surge is driven by a global spike in demand for high-end chips tied to AI and the broader digital economy, which in turn is crowding out production capacity for commodity memory. It has been reported that research firm TrendForce (集邦咨询) said Consumer DRAM average prices rose 75–80% in Q1 and are forecast to climb another 45–50% in Q2. Add to that years of export controls and geopolitical tension that have reshaped supply chains, and component volatility becomes a structural problem for phone makers, not just a short-lived blip.

Impact: SKU pruning, higher prices and a hot secondhand market

If manufacturers trim Ultra SKUs, expect narrower flagship portfolios or higher launch prices for remaining models. Consumers may see more mid‑tier emphasis or larger gaps between standard and Pro offerings. It has been reported that rising new‑phone prices have already driven a spike in second‑hand device prices — a sign that component cost shocks ripple through the whole ecosystem. Will vendors accept slimmer lineups or pass the bill to buyers? The answer will shape the next wave of premium smartphones.