Who could have imagined just a couple of years back that memory chips would emerge as the apex predator in a semiconductor world increasingly dominated by AI-related demand dynamics? Yet, this bizarre projection has panned out, and to such an extent that a typical LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage bundle for high-end smartphones is now substantially eclipsing the cost of entire Application Processors (APs), including Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
A 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, paired with 1TB Of UFS 4.1 storage, now costs way more than Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip
The Weibo-based tipster, Digital Chat Station, has noted in a dedicated post that a typical LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage bundle for high-end smartphones is now costing way more than Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 premium chip (translated via Google):
"As mentioned before, the cost of 16GB LPDDR5X + 1TB UFS 4.1 has already exceeded that of the Snapdragon 8E5.
By Q2, the price of this configuration had exceeded ¥2300. From an industry perspective, this price increase can indeed be described as "disastrous": due to chip supply constraints, whether it's a flagship phone costing over ¥10,000 or a mid-range phone, everyone is using the same memory chips—if foldable screens increase in price by ¥1000, other price ranges may also increase by ¥1000 or even more; the entire industry is affected.
The good news is that upcoming new products are packed with powerful components. Since prices have increased, manufacturers are simply upgrading the specifications—they've given everything they should, and even some fancy tricks."
According to the tipster, the cost of this 16GB LPDDR5X RAM + 1TB UFS 4.1 storage bundle has now exceeded 2,300 Yuan or $334. For context, do note that Qualcomm's current flagship chipset costs as much as $280 per unit. This means that this memory bundle is currently retailing at a 19 percent premium to the flagship AP!
Given this trajectory, we noted in a recent post that Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 flagship chip, which is expected to leverage LPDDR5X, will likely cost in excess of $300 per unit. Do note that the ultra-high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip will support LPDDR6 as well as the older LPDDR5X RAM, as per recent rumors.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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