Ju Chao Zi Xun·2026-02-28 03:20Core Viewpoint - A "perfect storm" triggered by rising storage chip prices is set to lead to a significant price increase across the entire Chinese smartphone market starting March 2026, with new models seeing price hikes of at least 1000 yuan and older models also adjusting prices [3][4]. Group 1: Price Increase Trends - The smartphone price increase is a collective industry trend rather than an isolated decision by individual brands, with major players like OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor already finalizing their price adjustment plans [3]. - The cost of smartphone storage chips has surged over 80% compared to the same period in 2025, with projections indicating a 55%-60% increase in DRAM contract prices and a 33%-38% rise in NAND flash prices in Q1 2026 [4][6]. - The average price of smartphones in China is expected to rise by 15%-25% for new models compared to 2025, with some high-storage versions increasing by up to 2000 yuan [7][8]. Group 2: Impact on Manufacturers - The rising cost of storage chips is significantly altering the Bill of Materials (BOM) for smartphones, with memory now accounting for over 20% of the total cost, and in some mid-range models, this figure approaches 30% [6][8]. - Companies are facing a dilemma in the mid-to-low-end market, where they must either raise prices or reduce specifications to maintain profitability, leading to a cycle of price increases and potential loss of market share [8][9]. - The industry is witnessing a rapid reshuffling, with companies like Meizu halting new product development and transitioning to AI-driven software, while Transsion Holdings reported a 53.43% drop in net profit due to rising component costs [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Responses - Realme has opted to integrate back into OPPO's supply chain to mitigate procurement costs amid rising storage prices, reflecting a broader trend of companies seeking to leverage shared resources [10]. - Even Apple, a dominant player in the market, is not immune to the effects of rising storage prices, indicating that the entire industry may undergo significant structural adjustments as smaller brands struggle with cost pressures [11].