If you are planning to buy a new smartphone in the coming months, you may want to act sooner rather than later, as prices are expected to rise sharply.
A global shortage of RAM, which has already affected the computer industry, is now set to hit the smartphone market. According to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC), the global smartphone market share is projected to decline by 12.9 per cent in 2026.
The report warns that the smartphone industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. It suggests that previous challenges, including US presidential tariffs and even the Covid-19 pandemic, may pale in comparison to the scale of the RAM shortage.
IDC further noted that, under current conditions, smartphone manufacturers may completely phase out the production of budget devices, effectively pushing consumers towards higher-priced models.
The firm emphasised that this is unlikely to be a temporary disruption. Instead, the RAM shortage is expected to bring long-term structural changes to the smartphone market.
According to the report, improvement is unlikely before 2027. Even if supply stabilises by then, a return to previous price levels would be highly improbable.
