GoKawiilRobert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR Surging RAM and memory prices are reportedly forcing Chinese manufacturers to reconsider the viability of their next-generation Ultra flagships.
Brands fear that raising prices above a certain point to cover costs will make them uncompetitive with Apple and Samsung’s brand value.
Leakers suggest that Chinese Android brands may pause development until component prices stabilize to avoid financial losses.
RAMageddon is in full swing, and while there are some indicators that the worst might be behind us, the ripple effects are just about to reach our favorite products due to supply chain lag. We’ve seen the RAM crisis kill high-end Android gaming handhelds and even raise the prices of Android flagship phones, but a new leak now suggests the RAM crisis might outright kill a generation or two of Android’s Ultra flagships.
Leaker Digital Chat Station shared on Weibo that the next generation of Android Ultra flagships might have been discontinued.
The leak is vague, but leaker Ice Universe has a longer post on X with some more details.
Ice Universe mentions that “more than one Chinese brand” is reportedly considering pausing the next generation of its Ultra flagship. However, the leaker doesn’t mention which Chinese brand, so it could be any of OPPO, vivo, or Xiaomi, as these three have the most prominent Ultra flagships.
In China, these Ultra flagships aren’t sold in large enough volumes. Instead of sales volume and profits, their primary purpose of existence is to flex the manufacturer’s camera hardware and software capabilities. As such, the entire budget for an Ultra flagship goes into the camera system, with other components contributing less to the bill of materials.
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