16GB RAM phones will be a rarity in 2026, while 4GB models make a comeback
16GB RAM phones may nearly disappear in 2026 as rising memory costs push manufacturers to ship devices with as little as 4GB of RAM.
Phones in 2026 are certain to have a price rise due to the increasing cost of memory modules. We are already seeing its effects with recent flagship launches like the iQOO 15, which saw a whopping 33% price increase over its predecessor in India.
Raising prices, however, won’t work in all markets. In a price-sensitive economy like India, it would be harder for brands to justify higher costs when the actual device might not bring any major improvements.
A new leak suggests manufacturers may instead look for savings elsewhere, by shipping phones with less RAM, that is.16GB RAM might go extinct in 2026
According to a tipster on Naver, smartphones equipped with 16GB of RAM could nearly go extinct in 2026, except for some manufacturer-specific models.
The source also claims that 4GB RAM models may become far more common than they are today. More concerning, some phones could still end up costing more than current models despite being equipped with less memory.
The leak goes on to say that smartphones with 12GB of RAM could be reduced by 40% and will be replaced by 6GB/8GB models. Meanwhile, 8GB models could see a 50% reduction and be replaced by 4GB/6GB variants.
Much of this pressure comes from the growing demand for memory across multiple industries. This has created a supply crunch that consumers are now starting to feel. And it may not be limited to new and upcoming phones.
A recent report suggests that Samsung is also planning to hike prices for its existing Galaxy phones in India.
The memory crunch is also spilling over into the PC market. According to a TrendForce report, major PC brands like Dell and Lenovo have begun notifying customers about upcoming price hikes. Dell, in particular, is expected to raise PC prices by 15 to 20 percent.