DRAM prices eat 60% of sub-$400 smartphone costs, killing cheap phones as AI demand fuels shortage

9to5Google reports that budget phones are hit hardest by rising DRAM costs, with memory consuming up to 60% of a sub-$400 phone's bill of materials. The shortage, driven by AI demand, threatens the availability of affordable smartphones.

• Android phones will reportedly see more downgrades, fewer cheap devices as RAMageddon rages on