Smartphone price hikes are ‘inevitable,’ report says; entry-level phones are a risk

Counterpoint Research Korea says rising DRAM and NAND prices will keep pushing smartphone bill-of-materials costs higher through Q2 2026.

Entry-level phones under $200 are expected to be hit hardest because memory and storage make up a larger share of their total cost.

Premium devices could also see BOM increases of about $100 to $150, while mid-range models should be less affected.

Brands may need to cut entry-level shipments or use lower-spec components to protect margins.

The report points to likely retail price hikes in 2026, especially for budget smartphones.