The booming global demand for artificial intelligence is driving a massive surge in memory chip prices, a trend that is expected to make technology significantly more expensive by 2026. This shift means consumers may face higher costs for new devices, and even industry leaders like Apple are feeling the financial pressure as suppliers adjust their rates.
Recent reports from South Korea indicate that Samsung has increased its LPDDR DRAM pricing by approximately 80% compared to the rates offered in late 2025. Furthermore, industry sources suggest that SK Hynix, another major player in the semiconductor market, has implemented a even steeper price hike of nearly 100%.
In the past, Apple has often mitigated rising component costs through long-term supply agreements. However, current market conditions appear to be shifting. Reports suggest that Apple’s latest deal with Samsung only secures DRAM unit prices for the first half of the year, leaving future costs uncertain.
While these supply chain changes suggest the upcoming iPhone 18 series could see a price increase, some analysts remains optimistic. Industry experts like Ming-Chi Kuo believe Apple may choose to absorb the additional costs internally rather than passing them to the consumer, in an effort to maintain and grow its global market share.