Apple weighs iPhone price hikes amid global memory chip shortage
Apple faces a choice to raise iPhone prices or absorb costs during a memory chip shortage. Its decision will likely shape pricing for the whole industry.
Insights:
A global shortage of memory chips, specifically DRAM, is currently tightening the supply for smartphone makers and creating a pivotal debate over how major manufacturers will respond to rising costs. As of February 6, 2026, the industry is closely watching Apple Inc. to see if the company will choose to raise iPhone prices or absorb the higher component expenses. This decision is expected to have significant consequences for industry pricing, market share dynamics, and manufacturer margins across the global smartphone market.
