The memory shortage is no longer a PC problem. According to 01net, the shortage that already hit computers and smartphones is now reaching the automotive industry. When supply pressure spreads to a sector as large as cars, it signals that demand for memory chips is outrunning production across the board.
For phone shoppers, the practical question is simple: buy now, or wait? The answer leans toward buying now if you already need a phone and a good price is in front of you. The reasoning is below.
Why prices could move up
Memory is a fixed cost in every smartphone, and manufacturers have limited room to absorb a rising bill. When component prices climb, the cost either lands in the retail price or gets clawed back elsewhere in the bill of materials.
There are early signs of that pressure on upcoming hardware. GSMArena reports Apple is looking to cut costs on the iPhone 18 Pro Max's screen. A company trimming spend on a flagship display is managing a tighter component budget. That is a forward-looking indicator, not a confirmed price hike.
None of this guarantees phones get more expensive next quarter. Memory pricing is cyclical and can ease as quickly as it tightens. But the risk is now skewed upward, and current deals reflect today's costs, not tomorrow's.
The flagship case: a strong price is already on the table
The clearest buy-now signal is a mature flagship at a discount. Les Numériques currently highlights the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256 GB at 925,99 € as one of its top-rated products. For a current-generation Ultra, that is aggressive, and it is exactly the kind of price that disappears if component costs rise.
Software longevity strengthens the case. GSMArena reports the Galaxy S25 series could get the One UI 9 beta soon. A phone at the front of the update queue holds its usefulness longer, which matters more than any launch-day feature.
If you want the newest hardware instead, the vivo X300 E is now official with Zeiss-backed triple rear cameras and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, per GSMArena. It adds a fresh flagship option, though a brand-new launch rarely matches the discount you can already get on a proven Ultra. Weigh them side by side in our smartphone comparisons.
Foldables: more choice, less urgency
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, per GSMArena, widening the foldable field. These launch at full price and carry a premium that any component pressure will only reinforce. Unless you specifically want a folding screen, this is not where the value is right now.
Mid-range: where the value still is
If your budget sits below flagship level, the mid-range is where a memory-driven price rise would sting most, because the margins are thinner. Two current head-to-heads are worth reading before you buy.
- Frandroid compares the Honor Magic 8 Lite against the Nothing Phone (3a) to pin down the best affordable pick.
- Frandroid also pits the Xiaomi POCO X8 Pro Max against the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro for the better mid-range choice.
The segment is competitive and well-stocked today, which keeps prices honest. If component costs rise, expect the pressure to show up here first. Our best smartphones guide tracks the current picks.
Our recommendation
Buy now if two things are true: you actually need a new phone, and a device you want is at a good price today. The Galaxy S25 Ultra at 925,99 € is a textbook example of a discount worth taking before any potential increase.
Wait only if you don't need a phone yet, or if you're set on a specific unreleased model. Do not buy on speculation alone; a shortage is a reason to act on a good deal, not to panic-buy at full price.
Judge the hardware on what it will still do a year from now: screen, cameras, and software support. Track the component story on our mobile news page, and if terms like RAM and SoC need unpacking, our glossary covers them.
Bottom line: the memory crunch is widening, and the risk on phone prices now points up. That doesn't mean rushing. It means taking a genuinely good deal when you see one, rather than betting the market moves in your favour.