Apple faces pressure as Samsung hikes up DRAM prices

"The AI industry's unsatiated hunger for memory chips has led to skyrocketing DRAM prices, and that's shaping up to make new tech in 2026 a lot more expensive. This also means consumers will have to shell out even more money for new devices and even the world's largest smartphone manufacturer - Apple will have to pay up."

"According to a report from South Korea, Samsung has hiked up its LPDDR DRAM chip pricing by a cool 80% compared to what it was charging Apple in Q4,2025. The report, which comes from industry sources, claims that SK Hynix, the other major DRAM manufacturer, has hiked up its DRAM pricing by a whopping 100%."

"Historically, Apple has been able to absorb component price hikes through long-term agreements with key suppliers, but it seems that will not be the case this time around. According to the new report, Apple has signed a deal with Samsung that will only cover DRAM unit prices for the first half of the year."

Samsung increased LPDDR DRAM pricing by 80% versus what it charged Apple in Q4 2025. SK Hynix raised DRAM pricing by 100%. Apple signed a deal with Samsung that covers DRAM unit prices only for the first half of the year. Historically Apple absorbed component price hikes through long-term supplier agreements, but that protection appears limited. The DRAM cost surge will raise manufacturing expenses and is likely to push up 2026 device retail prices, including the iPhone 18 series. Apple may attempt to absorb some costs to stabilize pricing and defend market share.

Read at GSMArena.com