55%
Plausible
Manufacturers like Samsung have been reported to accelerate the development of LPDDR6 RAM in the first half of 2025 to gain an advantage against competitors, but the ongoing memory crisis means that only the top-end hardware will likely ship with this technology. Apple is said to stick with LPDDR5X RAM for its upcoming iPhone 18 series launching later this year, though this memory will reportedly utilize the faster six-channel variant for increased bandwidth. This leaves Android phone makers to adopt LPDDR6 RAM in their devices, but according to the latest rumor, it will be a costly move because these chips are said to be 20 percent more expensive than LPDDR5X.
For reference, a 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chip is estimated to cost $70, meaning that only the most premium Android smartphones sporting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and Dimensity 9600 will likely ship with LPDDR6
The exact figure wasn’t mentioned by Weibo tipster Smart Chip Insider, but he notes that smartphones with LPDDR6 RAM will only be available in 16GB configurations, likely because companies might not want to bother with multiple memory SKUs and pay a premium for those as well. Apple is not adopting this technology because the latter often incorporates the latest standards after they have matured, preferring to stick to current-generation hardware and obtain it at a higher volume and lower price.
However, even the Cupertino giant is having trouble on this front, with a previous rumor stating that the company would now be paying a $230 premium for each 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chip found in the iPhone 17 lineup. As for Android smartphones, only those models launching the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and Dimensity 9600 are expected to ship with LPDDR6 memory, with TSMC’s 2nm wafers and rising DRAM costs forcing prices to skyrocket.
Qualcomm’s upcoming premium SoC is also said to be significantly more expensive, suggesting that the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 could be adopted in top-end smartphones in a higher volume, but that will mean those handsets will be limited to LPDDR5X technology. There’s also a chance that companies releasing Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and Dimensity 9600 flagships will aim to pocket a higher profit, so they might save on component costs by opting for LPDDR5X RAM instead of jumping on the LPDDR6 bandwagon.
It is going to be an interesting year for smartphones as far as RAM prices go, and TSMC’s pricey 2nm wafers aren’t going to make things easier, particularly for consumers, who will have to deepen their pockets if they want to drive a 2026 flagship.
News Source: Smart Chip Insider
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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