Since the RAM crisis kicked off at the start of 2026, we’ve been anxiously watching phone prices.
Price increases are nothing new when it comes to the yearly cycle of Android phones, but there was a chance things could get much worse.
We’ve yet to see the full impact of skyrocketing hardware prices, but early signs aren’t looking good.
But I’m not worried because, in an era of rising phone prices, I’m still saving money.
All the evidence points to unprecedented price increases
It’ll be widespread and massive
In June, a report surfaced that revealed that Samsung had failed to secure cheaper OLED panels for its Samsung Galaxy S27 phones.
While Galaxy users were worried about the compromises inherent in cheaper components, others saw it as a way to balance costs.
The new panels were reportedly 20% cheaper to produce, which might have offset the costs of RAM.
But the deal fell through, and there’s only one likely outcome: price increases.
Other stories have similar grim tidings.
Xiaomi increased the cost of its flagship phones by at least $200 in April.
Counterpoint Research reported in March that phones with a paltry 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage could see a 25% rise in production costs.
Finally, just this month, a Korean report suggested that the Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 phones will see a price increase of $150 to $200.
It sounds like scary stuff at first. Nobody likes price increases, and tools as essential as smartphones can feel particularly relevant.
But I’m here to tell you that you can be like a deep-sea fish in a hurricane, completely unaffected.
The price increases are mostly affecting new phones
The Google Pixel 10 should stay where it is
Xiaomi’s announcement that it was increasing prices for existing devices was unusual.
While most brands are looking at price increases for new phones, prices for existing devices are staying the same.
So if you’re not planning to buy a newly released phone in 2026 or 2027, you can sit back and relax.
Admittedly, there is a concern that if the RAM crisis subsides, companies may not lower their prices accordingly.
If we get used to these sticker prices, what motivation will manufacturers have to lower prices as production costs fall?
However, it will take years to see if this becomes a reality. At present, the focus is squarely on upcoming phones.
Even if you want a new phone, there are still plenty of ways to offset costs
Patience is the greatest trick for saving money
I’m currently on the fence about upgrading to the Google Pixel 11.
Leaks haven’t convinced me that the quirky new hardware is worthwhile, and the news that my Pixel 10 is about to receive a significant performance upgrade makes holding onto it even more attractive.
Nevertheless, I like to stay up to date on the latest Android hardware, so I may end up upgrading. But I certainly won’t pre-order one, and I doubt I’ll buy one until months after release.
I live in the UK, and I use an MVNO, Voxi, as my carrier. It’s a great carrier for a variety of reasons, but the most relevant one here is its sales.
Every year, like clockwork, Voxi announces a sale on the latest Pixel phone. I picked up a Pixel 10 Pro for about 40% off last year, about two months after it launched.
Let me repeat that. A 40% saving. Two months after release. You can see why I don’t pre-order phones anymore.
Deals aren’t limited to niche UK carriers either.
On Black Friday, the Pixel 10 Pro XL was available for $900, $300 off its retail price. That’s a 25% saving from waiting three months.
So even if you desperately want a newly launched phone this year, all you have to do is wait.
By Christmas, you could have a new Pixel 11 and have saved hundreds of dollars in the process.
But why buy a new phone in the first place?
Recently launched phones will last for years
It’s no secret that smartphone manufacturers are struggling to innovate.
AI drove things along for a bit, but now thin smartphones and colored LED lights show that hardware gimmicks are the new trend.
I struggle to recommend buying a newly launched phone to anyone who isn’t an Android enthusiast.
My recommendation of choice is still the Pixel 10 thanks to its excellent performance, battery life, camera, and seven years of software support.
It truly is a phone that will last for years, and sales are frequent and huge.
While it came paired with a mandatory carrier plan, US Mobile discounted the Pixel 10 to $250 on July 4, 2026 ($369 including the year of service).
Patience and self-reflection mean you don’t have to worry about the RAM crisis
Even if you must have the latest Android phones, you don’t need to waste hundreds of dollars.
Waiting just two or three months can offset price hikes and leave you with more money in your pocket.
I’ve been following this tactic for years, and I’ve saved upwards of $1,000 in the process while always carrying the latest Pixel in my pocket (barring the forgettable Pixel 9).
