Memory Price Surge Raises Smartphone Costs

Xiaomi executives Lei Jun and Lu Weibing said recently that rapid AI-driven demand for memory chips has created a year-long supply shortage, sharply boosting memory prices and pressuring smartphone margins. Lei Jun said Xiaomi will try to absorb costs rather than fully pass increases to consumers, while Lu Weibing warned the price cycle could last until the end of 2027. Some brands may raise prices or drop entry-level models.
Key Points
- 1Cite AI-driven demand surge causing year-long memory supply shortages and price increases
- 2Create profit declines and push firms to delay or reconsider product launches
- 3Prompt Xiaomi to manage costs, avoid full pass-through, and leverage supplier scale
Scoring Rationale
Industry-impacting supply shortage and official executive comments; limited novelty but high relevance to device manufacturers and supply chains.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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