While most smartphone brands have not yet officially initiated price negotiations for 1Q26 mobile DRAM, market signals indicate that the upward trend will persist this quarter, with momentum exceeding that of the previous quarter. US-based clients have already finalized negotiations, while Chinese clients are expected to settle theirs after the Lunar New Year. With overall DRAM supply remaining tight, product profitability has become the decisive factor in securing resource allocation. On the end-market front, rising memory prices are causing a decline in smartphone and notebook shipments, as well as extending replacement cycles. Facing this high-cost environment, brands are compelled to rethink their strategies to control BOM costs and maintain price competitiveness.

Key Highlights

• Price negotiations for 1Q26 smartphone mobile DRAM have not yet fully commenced. However, judging by contract results from other applications and signals from suppliers, this quarter is set to defy the traditional off-season slump and continue its strong upward momentum.
• US-based clients have already concluded negotiations, while Chinese clients have faced delays due to the previous quarter's schedule and the Lunar New Year. Given the significant price surges evident in other applications, mobile DRAM prices are expected to rise in tandem.
• Amidst a DRAM shortage, sectors such as server, AI, PC, and mobile are forced to accept "across-the-board price hikes" to secure allocation. Consequently, "product profitability" has become the critical factor in determining the ability to secure resources.
• Soaring memory prices, compounded by device over-specification and market saturation, place smartphone and notebook shipments at significant risk of decline.
• Under the pressure of high memory costs, brands are compelled to rethink their strategies to manage Bill of Materials (BOM) costs and maintain price competitiveness.

Table of Contents

1. Contract Prices First Confirmed for US Clients; Price Hikes Remain Significant in 1Q26 with No Signs of Stoppage throughout 2026
2. Tempo of Negotiations Differentiated between US and Chinese Brands; Additional Price Increases for US Brands to Narrow Differences
   • Smartphone Mobile DRAM Price Trend
3. Uniform Price Increases among Applications to Fight for Resources amidst Tightened Market Activities
4. Prolonged Replacement Cycle Could Become a Long-Term Trend alongside Emergence of Risks on Deterioration among End Applications
5. High Memory Cost Catalyzes New Cogitation; Cloud Smartphones Could Serve as Solutions for Models of Low Configurations
   • Mobile DRAM Contract Price Update

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