3 6 Ke·2025-11-20 09:28Core Insights - The price increase of the Redmi K90 series is attributed to the significant rise in memory costs, which has affected multiple smartphone manufacturers [2][6][24] - The surge in memory prices is primarily driven by the booming demand for AI-related products, particularly from companies like NVIDIA, which has led to a reallocation of production capacity away from traditional memory products [7][12][24] - The smartphone market is expected to experience a polarization, with high-end brands like Apple and Huawei less affected by memory price increases compared to budget brands like Xiaomi and OPPO, which may struggle to maintain profitability [13][17][24] Price Increases and Market Dynamics - The Redmi K90 standard version is priced at 2599 yuan, which is 300 yuan more than its predecessor, with additional costs for higher storage options [2] - Many smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo, are facing pressure to increase prices due to rising memory costs, with some already raising prices for flagship models [18][19] - TrendForce predicts that the overall smartphone prices will increase by 5%-15% in 2026, with an average increase of around 500 yuan per device [18][24] Impact of AI on Memory Prices - The demand for AI computing has drastically increased the need for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), leading manufacturers to prioritize HBM production over traditional memory types [9][12] - The profit margins for HBM are significantly higher than those for standard mobile memory, incentivizing manufacturers to allocate more resources to AI-related products [12][11] - The current memory price surge is expected to last longer than typical cycles due to cautious production expansion by suppliers fearing an AI bubble [24] Consumer Experience and Product Adjustments - Many smartphone manufacturers are resorting to reducing specifications in new models to offset rising costs, which has become a common practice in the industry [19][22] - The reduction in features, such as screen resolution and camera quality, reflects a broader trend of cost-cutting measures in response to increased material costs [22] - The high-end brands like Apple and Huawei are less likely to pass on costs to consumers, maintaining their pricing strategies without significant adjustments [16][17]