Budget Smartphone Prices Surge as RAM Shortage Hits Samsung and Google

Key points

• Samsung raised prices across its Galaxy A lineup in the US, with increases ranging from $30 to $70 depending on the model.
• The Galaxy A17 5G now costs $270, up $70 from its original $200 launch price, and has received two price hikes this year.
• Google increased the price of the Pixel 10a by $100, raising it from $499 to $599 in the US.
• The price hikes are attributed to a global RAM shortage, which is driving up component costs across the tech industry.
• In Canada, the Pixel 10a price increase is more extreme, jumping from $679 to $849, according to MobileSyrup.
• In India, Samsung raised prices for the Galaxy A36 and A56 by up to Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively, marking the second hike for these models in 2026.

Background

This is the latest in a series of price hikes across the tech industry driven by a RAM shortage. In August 2026, Google raised prices on its TV Streamer and Nest cameras, and in September, the Trump Mobile T1 Phone saw a $250 price increase without hardware changes. Earlier in 2026, Google also raised prices on its Pixel 11 flagship line, erasing its historic value edge. The RAM shortage is expected to persist, with some analysts predicting higher costs could continue through 2030.

How outlets are covering it

Engadget and SammyGuru both attribute the price hikes to the RAM shortage, with Engadget noting that the best-case scenario is that the shortage improves in a year due to increased Chinese RAM production, while the more pessimistic outlook is that higher RAM prices will persist through 2030. SammyGuru argues that the price hikes are making Samsung’s Galaxy A series less appealing as a value proposition, with the A57 now starting at $600, blurring the line between mid-range and flagship phones. 91mobiles.com notes that the price hikes in India are making older models like the A36 and A56 less attractive compared to newer models, as buyers now have to spend more for the same hardware. Android Authority, cited by Engadget, notes that Samsung has raised prices across its entire Galaxy A lineup, marking the second hike for the company this week.

Why it matters

The price hikes on budget smartphones are significant because they are making affordable options less accessible for consumers. The RAM shortage is driving up component costs, which is leading to higher prices across the tech industry. This trend is likely to continue, with some analysts predicting that higher RAM prices could persist through 2030. For consumers, this means that buying a new budget smartphone is becoming increasingly expensive, and buying used may be the only option for those seeking an affordable device.

What to watch

The next version of these budget phones is likely to launch at a similarly inflated price, as the RAM shortage is expected to persist. Consumers may need to consider buying used devices or waiting for the shortage to improve, which could take up to a year. Samsung and Google may also need to find ways to absorb some of the costs to keep their budget phones affordable, but this is unlikely given the broader trend of price hikes across the tech industry.