Memory costs spiral out of control! Multiple brands abandon Ultra flagship models
According to the blogger “Digital Chat Station”, some mobile phone manufacturers may discontinue their Ultra models due to the sharp rise in memory chip prices. The specific brands involved have not yet been announced, sparking widespread speculation in the industry and among netizens.
The recent surge in memory chip prices has significantly impacted the domestic mobile phone industry. From March to April 2026, major domestic Android manufacturers raised prices on many of their products to alleviate the pressure from rising costs.
Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing previously stated publicly that the current round of memory price increases far exceeded market expectations, with memory prices soaring nearly fourfold compared to the first quarter of last year. The cost of the 12GB+512GB version increased by approximately 1,500 yuan, while the price increase was even more significant for the 16GB+1TB version, directly driving up the production costs of high-end flagship models.
According to the usual product iteration schedule, the Ultra flagship models from various companies were originally planned to be released successively from the end of 2026 to the beginning of 2027, with top-of-the-line configurations such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro 2nm flagship chip and a 1-inch large-sensor main camera.
The dramatic fluctuations in storage costs have created considerable uncertainty regarding the mass production and pricing of these high-end models. As of now, the information provided is based solely on industry leaks; specific manufacturers and subsequent arrangements will depend on official announcements from the brands.
Editor’s Review:
The soaring price of memory chips has not only directly squeezed the profit margins of mobile phone manufacturers, but also puts high-end models with large memory configurations in a double dilemma of cost and pricing. Suspending the iteration of Ultra models is a short-term choice for manufacturers to control risks and stabilize the market, and it also reflects the profound impact of upstream supply chain fluctuations on end products.
The high-end market is not only about technology, but also about supply chain management and cost balancing capabilities. Which manufacturers will make adjustments and how they will balance configuration and pricing are things the industry should continue to pay attention to.
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