Core Viewpoint - The smartphone market is experiencing a price increase due to rising upstream costs, particularly in memory components, which has led to significant price hikes for new models from various manufacturers [3][8][9]. Group 1: Price Increases in Smartphones - Multiple new smartphone models have been released with starting prices higher than their predecessors, with the Redmi K90 starting at 2599 yuan, an increase of 300-600 yuan compared to the K80 [3][7]. - Other brands like Realme, iQOO, and OPPO have also raised prices by 200-300 yuan for their new models [3][9]. - Xiaomi's president acknowledged that the price increases are a direct result of rising storage costs, which have exceeded expectations and are expected to continue rising [3][8]. Group 2: Memory Chip Price Surge - The price of LPDDR4X memory chips has surged dramatically, with reports indicating prices have increased from 20 dollars to over 50 dollars in a short period [4][14]. - The increase in memory prices is attributed to a shift in production capacity towards higher-value products driven by AI demand, impacting the availability of lower-end memory products [16][22]. - The overall price increase for memory chips has affected the pricing strategies of smartphone manufacturers, particularly in the mid-range segment [5][10]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Impact - The price hikes are expected to lead to a segmentation in consumer spending, particularly affecting the 3000-4000 yuan price range, where demand may shrink due to the lack of supportive policies [5][28]. - High-end users are less likely to be affected by price increases as long as the products remain attractive [27]. - The shift in memory pricing and availability is likely to influence the entire lifecycle pricing strategies of new smartphone models, including promotional pricing during sales events [10][24].
手机厂商的“芯事”:新款集体涨价数百元,高价内存拦路