Industry experts and market analysts predict that the prices of entry-level and mid-range smartphones are set to increase from the fourth quarter of this year. The hike is primarily driven by the surge in memory chip costs, which has significantly raised input expenses for manufacturers.
According to supply chain analytics firm TrendForce, memory chips used in budget and mid-tier smartphones are facing limited availability, as several producers have reduced output. This supply shortage is expected to put further pressure on smartphone pricing in the coming months.
