Memory price surge lifts phone prices, boosting N-1 and used-device demand

Rising memory prices have forced smartphone brands to raise handset prices, hurting new-device sales in 2026. Buyers are shifting toward previous-generation and used devices.

• Memory price surge pushed up new smartphone prices in 2026
• New-device sales fall as prices climb
• Demand grows for N-1 previous-generation models
• Used-device market sees renewed demand