Smartphone Mobile DRAM contract prices are maintaining their strong upward momentum in 2Q26. Samsung and Micron were the first to issue quotes, whereas SK hynix and CXMT have only provided tentative pricing so far, with final negotiations expected to conclude in May. Following steep price hikes for two consecutive quarters in 1H26, smartphone brands are finding these cost pressures increasingly difficult to absorb. Consequently, not only are 2026 smartphone production targets facing downward revisions, but brands may also fail to fulfill their previously negotiated LTA bit procurement volumes. Looking ahead, as AI servers continue to crowd out production capacity, smartphone brands must optimize their memory requirements at the software and system architecture levels. This approach is essential for maintaining operational resilience while caught between soaring costs and softening end-market demand.

Key Highlights

• Smartphone LPDRAM quotes remain robust in 2Q26, though full finalization is not expected until late May.
• TrendForce has narrowed its price hike forecasts for LPDDR4X and LPDDR5X in 2Q26, while not ruling out the possibility of marginal additional increases in 2H26.
• Following two consecutive quarters of excessive price hikes in 1H26, brands are facing surging cost burdens. This will continue to impact 2026 smartphone production and make it difficult to fulfill LTA bit procurement targets.
• The high-price environment is reshaping DRAM configurations. Driven by reduced low-end output and the phase-out of low-density products, the overall average memory capacity per device continues to grow.
• Looking ahead, with AI servers continuing to crowd out capacity and high DRAM prices persisting, brands must optimize memory requirements at the software and system levels, while enhancing cloud services to hedge against the pressure of hardware capacity upgrades.

Table of Contents

1. Contract Prices for Mobile DRAM Remain Strong for 2Q26; Times of High Prices to Suppress Production Quantity and Specifications of Smartphones
   • Smartphone Mobile DRAM 2Q26 QoQ Price Projection
2. High-Price Era Restructures DRAM Configuration of Smartphones and Inhibits Large-Capacity Specifications
3. Discrete LPDDR5X Mitigates in Demand; LPDDR4X to Serve as Main Driver among Mid-to-Low End Models for Short Term
   • Mobile DRAM Contract Price Update

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