The global smartphone industry is facing a new challenge as a persistent shortage of Random Access Memory (RAM) chips forces manufacturers to reduce memory specifications. Market research firm TrendForce forecasts that this RAM scarcity will continue until at least the fourth quarter of 2027. This ongoing shortage is pushing smartphone makers to adjust their device specs, particularly impacting the entry-level and mid-range segments.
Entry-level smartphones, which previously could offer up to 6GB of RAM, are now expected to settle at 4GB as the new standard. Meanwhile, mid-range devices that once boasted RAM capacities as high as 12GB may have to limit themselves to between 6GB and 8GB in coming years. According to Suharno’s report on Selular.id dated December 19, 2025, these compromises are likely to affect user experience amid the rising prominence of AI-driven features that demand substantial memory resources.
Market Impact and Consumer Implications
Sales data from Counterpoint Research highlights the practical consequences of this trend. Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G was the top-selling Android smartphone in Q3 of 2025, featuring 8GB of RAM. This suggests that consumers have become accustomed to higher memory specifications, and the necessity to reduce RAM might force buyers to either spend more or accept slower performance. Such a shift also tampers the expected widespread adoption of 16GB RAM in flagship models; even the ultra-high-end configurations with 24GB RAM could become obsolete.
The root cause of the shortage lies in strategic production shifts by major semiconductor manufacturers like Samsung. These companies are prioritizing manufacturing segments that yield higher margins, such as DDR5 memory for mainstream computing, and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI applications, leading to an imbalance in supply for mobile device RAM. This supply imbalance may exacerbate the predicted contraction in the global smartphone market.
AI On-Device Processing Challenges
The increasing demand for on-device AI processing introduces further complexity to the scenario. Industry experts had envisioned 20GB RAM as a baseline required to support sophisticated AI models locally on smartphones. Now, this target appears difficult to achieve in the near future. Innovatively, some manufacturers are exploring ways to handle AI workloads without relying heavily on RAM.
Apple, for example, is reportedly developing methods to store large AI language models directly on flash storage rather than relying on volatile memory. Samsung is working on customized Universal Flash Storage (UFS) solutions optimized for generative AI tasks. Such innovations aim to sustain advancements in AI capabilities despite hardware limitations.
Potential Return of the MicroSD Slot
One unexpected consequence of the RAM shortage might be the renewed inclusion of microSD card slots, especially in flagship smartphones. Many high-end models had omitted this expandable storage option in recent years. With internal storage and RAM both facing constraints, microSD cards could offer users additional capacity. However, experts caution that this could come at the expense of slower data transfer speeds and possible further reductions in internal RAM.
Facing the Long-Term RAM Crisis
Smartphone makers are now challenged to rethink their approach to device design amid the ongoing RAM shortage. Besides hardware innovations, optimizing software efficiency and smarter memory management via chip architectures are likely areas for exploration. Hybrid solutions that blur the lines between memory and storage may also become more common.
If manufacturers fail to adapt effectively, consumer interest in new devices with downgraded specs yet higher prices could diminish. Meanwhile, the next two to three years will be critical for the smartphone industry to balance supply constraints, cost pressures, and demands for new features like AI. Decisions by key players such as Samsung, Apple, and Google will shape the future trajectory of mobile technology in this constrained environment.
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