Samsung is reportedly negotiating a mobile DRAM price increase of up to 20% for Q3 2026, according to supply chain reports from TrendForce. If those negotiations land where Samsung is pushing, it would mark the third consecutive quarter of DRAM price hikes following a staggering 90% increase in Q1 2026 and another 50 to 60% rise in Q2.
The driver behind all of this is AI. Demand for High Bandwidth Memory from AI server builders has pulled Samsung’s manufacturing capacity away from conventional mobile DRAM, tightening supply precisely when smartphone makers need more of it. Modern flagship phones are now shipping with 12GB to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM to handle on-device AI workloads, which means both demand and per-unit memory requirements are climbing at the same time.
The devices most likely to feel this are products launching later in 2026 and into 2027. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 are believed to have memory supplies secured ahead of these negotiations, but the Galaxy S27 series is a different story. Apple’s next iPhone lineup, along with flagships from Xiaomi, OPPO, Honor, and OnePlus, could all face higher production costs if the increase sticks. SK Hynix and Micron are expected to follow Samsung’s lead given the same supply constraints apply across the industry.
Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the negotiations or the specific 20% figure.
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