AI memory crunch set to lift India smartphone, PC prices 5–10% over 12–18 months
HBM and advanced DRAM capacity is being rerouted to AI servers, with memory prices up 30–50% and 80+ smartphone models already repriced 15%. IESA and Counterpoint flag tightness through 2026–2027, with entry-level and mass-market devices facing the sharpest affordability squeeze in India.
AI-driven demand for HBM and advanced DRAM is diverting memory capacity from consumer electronics, pushing smartphone and PC prices up 5-10% in India over 12-18 months, with entry-level devices and mass-market models facing the sharpest affordability squeeze.
Why this matters
IESA's latest warning escalates prior alerts that pegged smartphone price hikes at 20-30% through 2026, now extending the squeeze to PCs and quantifying an 80-model repricing wave already underway in India.
Retail-brand signals steady at 530 in the last 90 days, with memory pricing emerging as a recurring driver.