📊Executive Summary

The article discusses a significant RAM shortage driven by increased demand from AI applications, which is expected to raise smartphone prices by 6.9% in 2026. The shortage is attributed to manufacturers prioritizing high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, diverting production from DRAM and NAND flash chips essential for smartphones. This shift is causing OEMs like Apple and Samsung to face tough decisions regarding pricing and specifications for their devices. The article highlights that the shortage is not limited to smartphones but also impacts PCs and tablets, with a forecasted decline in global smartphone shipments by 2.1% in 2026. The interconnected nature of the memory supply chain means that OEMs are competing for limited resources, which could lead to further price increases and specification downgrades....