iPhone Price Hike Expected in 2026 as Apple Accepts Higher Samsung Memory Costs
Apple agrees to new pricing for Samsung LPDDR5X and NAND flash memory, raising production costs by 33% and 27%, signaling potential iPhone price hikes next year.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Apple agrees to pay nearly $2 per gigabit for LPDDR5X memory from Samsung
- NAND flash memory price increases to $0.33 per gigabit
- Apple's overall manufacturing costs surge by roughly 33% and 27% respectively
- Oppo and vivo previously rejected Samsung's new pricing, with alternative suppliers unconfirmed
Smartphone supply chain reports indicate that Apple has agreed to pay a higher price for LPDDR5X memory chips supplied by Samsung, settling at nearly 2 US dollars per gigabit. This marks a notable increase from the third quarter of this year, when the price stood at 1.5 US dollars per gigabit.
Along with DRAM chips, Apple has also accepted a new price of 0.33 US dollars per gigabit for NAND flash memory, up from 0.26 US dollars per gigabit during the same previous quarter. These adjustments mean that Apple's overall component procurement costs have increased significantly.
This development aligns with previous reports from South Korean media stating1 that Samsung was actively negotiating new DRAM and NAND pricing structures with multiple smartphone manufacturers, including Apple. The latest updates suggest both companies have successfully reached a mutually acceptable agreement.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Driven by these escalating manufacturing expenses, industry observers suggest that another round of price hikes for Apple's smartphone lineup could occur next year. Apple has already adjusted retail prices for several recent product lines, including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e.
Samsung's memory price adjustments highlight ongoing cost pressures in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply chains. Apple's decision to absorb these higher costs underscores its continued reliance on Samsung's manufacturing scale and reliability, even as tech giants constantly evaluate alternative component vendors.
Apple is not the only smartphone maker targeted by Samsung's price revisions. Earlier reports indicated that Chinese brands Oppo and vivo rejected Samsung's proposed rates, though it remains unclear which alternative manufacturers those brands are currently sourcing from.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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