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Apple Could Pay More for iPhone RAM as Samsung, SK Hynix Said to Increase Prices by Up to 100 Percent

Apple Could Pay More for iPhone RAM as Samsung, SK Hynix Said to Increase Prices by Up to 100 Percent

Apple was previously said to be renegotiating the terms of its memory component supply deal with Samsung.

Written by Dhruv Raghav, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 28 January 2026 11:33 IST

Apple Could Pay More for iPhone RAM as Samsung, SK Hynix Said to Increase Prices by Up to 100 Percent

iPhone 17 Pro Max (pictured) is powered by a 3nm A19 chip

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Highlights

Apple could be looking for a new RAM supplier
SK Hynix is reportedly supplying its DRAMs at double the prices
RAM prices are expected to further increase in Q2 2026

The rapid adoption of AI has prompted memory component makers to shift their focus to supplying High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) sticks to the newly booming industry. Most AI firms, after developing LLM-based AI agents, have begun building data centres to primarily store the training data, while also providing processing power for generative models. This has resulted in a widespread DRAM and NAND shortage for other industries. Among the worst hit are the smartphone makers, who have been grappling to keep the prices of their devices in check. Now, Samsung and SK Hynix have reportedly managed to renegotiate their existing supply deals, under which Apple will have to acquire LPPDR RAM for iPhone models at significantly higher prices.

Samsung, SK Hynix Said to Negotiate Higher Prices for LPDDR RAM

Citing industry sources, ZDNet Korea reports that the two South Korea-based memory component makers, SK Hynix and Samsung, have renegotiated the terms of their existing supply agreements with Apple. As per the new terms, the iPhone-maker will be acquiring LPDDR RAM sticks for its smartphones at significantly higher prices from the two tech firms. Samsung has reportedly increased the prices of its memory components by about 80 percent compared to the last quarter.

Meanwhile, SK Hynix is said to supply its LPDDR RAM sticks at a 100 percent premium, nearly doubling the prices from the last quarter. The report also highlighted that this might not be the end of cost increased for the Cupertino-based smartphone maker.

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In the second half of 2026, the price of memory components could further increase, adding to the cost of manufacturing iPhone models and other Apple devices which use RAM sticks. This means that the rumoured iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Fold could feature costlier RAM sticks.

Last month, a tech blogger revealed that the price of the 12GB LPDDR5x RAM, which is found on the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, have increased by more than 230 percent. The RAM Apple sources from Samsung was earlier acquired at prices between $25 (about Rs. 2,200) and $29 (about Rs. 2,600) per unit. However, the same now reportedly costs $70 (roughly Rs. 6,300) per unit.

The report added that this has prompted Apple to expand its supplier base by exploring new supply agreements. However, the Cupertino tech giant has been unable to find more RAM suppliers. Hence, the iPhone-maker continued to negotiate new contract terms. The blogger further wrote that since Apple had initially acquired relatively large quantities of memory components, it is currently in a secure position.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
The boldest redesign since the iPhone X
Bright and stunning display
A19 Pro under the hood guarantees excellent performance
Massive camera upgrade
Video quality gets a much-needed bump
Centre Stage camera at the front changes selfie game on iPhones forever
Improved charging speed

Bad
Aluminium body picks up scratches
Expensive
Heavier than the 16 Pro Max

Read detailed Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone Air

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Incredibly lightweight and super thin
Stunning display
Solid performance
Good primary and selfie cameras

Bad
A single-camera sensor at the back
Slow charging
Battery life could have been better
Mono speaker leaves much to be desired
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone Air review

Display 6.50-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1260x2736 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: iPhone, RAM Prices, Memory Components, DRAM, LPDDR, Samsung, SK Hynix, Apple

Dhruv Raghav

Email Dhruv Raghav

Dhruv Raghav is currently working as a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets360. He has previously covered the North American financial markets as a Headline News Correspondent for a major news agency. After taking a sabbatical to prepare for the Civil Services examination, he returned to journalism to cover tech policy, with a special focus on AI laws and online gaming regulation. Now, he is back in Gadgets360 to write features and edit stories. To unwind, he likes to spend time with his PS5, listening ...More