Telefoanele smart la preț sub 100 dolari devin tot mai rare, din cauza cererii mari de cipuri pentru AI - StartupCafe

The availability of smartphones priced under $100 is rapidly declining due to rising memory costs driven by AI advancements, making them less profitable for manufacturers. In 2022, around 173 million such devices were shipped, but shipments fell nearly 60% in Q2 2026 compared to the previous year. Chipmakers are prioritizing more profitable memory for AI infrastructure, impacting the supply for budget smartphones. As a result, manufacturers are shifting focus to higher-end models, with Xiaomi reporting a significant drop in low-cost phone shipments and a rise in average selling prices. This trend may persist even if memory shortages ease, as chipmakers are unlikely to invest in low-cost segment capacities.