RAM affects everyone.
Discussions with phone companies at MWC highlight a consensus: the RAM crisis is significant and likely to cause price increases for phones. Xiaomi plans to manage costs by increasing volumes, especially in the mid-range and entry-level sectors. Scaling back high-end specs isn’t an option since they aim to present their best technology. The Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra models match last year’s prices for now but may not remain that way.
RAM pricing is unpredictable, and companies are treating it like a fluctuating catch. Kaiwei Tang, CEO of Light, describes surviving a chaotic year but now faces the RAM crisis. They are informed about RAM prices only at the time of shipping, akin to stock trading. Orders can still be declined, but this could simply mean the supplier moves to another buyer.
The silver lining is that the pressure is universal, affecting all companies. Stefan Streit of TCL states that no one is immune, and everyone faces this challenge. Despite negative forecasts for smartphones globally, Streit remains resolute in confronting the issue.