Why Phones and Laptops Cost More in 2026 — Should You Buy Now or Wait?

If you’ve shopped for a laptop or phone recently, you’ve probably noticed prices creeping up — or specs quietly getting worse at the same price. That’s the global memory shortage at work. So should you buy now before prices climb further, or hold out for things to calm down? Here’s a straight answer, with the reasons and some ways to save either way.

Why Are Phones and Laptops Getting More Expensive?

The short answer is AI. Data centres building AI systems need enormous amounts of high-bandwidth memory, and the three biggest memory makers — Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron — have shifted production toward those higher-margin chips. IDC calls it “a zero-sum game”: every wafer used for AI server memory is one not used for the RAM in a phone or the SSD in a laptop.

The numbers are striking:

• TrendForce measured conventional DRAM contract prices up 93–98% quarter over quarter in Q1 2026 — the fastest move on record
• IDC reports that Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer and ASUS warned of 15–20% price increases
• Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said in September 2026 that memory now accounts for 70–80% of the cost of budget smartphones and laptops
• IDC expects 2026 DRAM and NAND supply growth of only 16–17%, below historical norms

For a deeper explanation, read our piece on why storage and memory prices are rising.

Will Prices Go Down If I Wait?

Probably not soon. IDC described 2026 as a year in which “technology becomes more expensive, driven by supply constraints rather than demand growth,” and supply constraints are widely expected to extend into 2027. New memory factories take years to build, and AI demand isn’t slowing yet.

What does happen is normal seasonal discounting: retailers still run sales, and older models still get cheaper when new ones launch. So waiting can save you money — but only if you’re waiting for a specific, predictable price drop, not a general return to 2024 prices.

Buy Now If…

• Your device is failing — a swelling battery, cracked screen, dying storage, or frequent crashes
• It no longer gets security updates — using an unsupported phone or PC for banking and email is a real risk
• Slowness costs you time or money — if you work on it daily, lost hours outweigh a small price difference
• You’ve found a genuine deal on a model you’d buy anyway
• You need a specific spec, like 16GB+ of RAM for work or local AI, and a well-priced configuration is in stock

Wait If…

• Your current device is fine — the cheapest upgrade is the one you don’t make
• A major sale is close — Black Friday lands on November 27, 2026, and holiday sales follow
• A new model is about to launch — the outgoing model often drops in price
• You’re buying a “nice to have” — a second laptop or a tablet can wait for a better price

Smart Ways to Beat Higher Prices

Buy Last Year’s Model

IDC expects 2026 flagships to hold RAM flat rather than increase it, which means last year’s model is often very close in specs. It’s usually the single biggest saving available.

Consider Certified Refurbished

Manufacturer-certified refurbished phones and laptops come with warranties and new batteries in many cases. Apple, Samsung, Dell and Lenovo all run refurbished stores, and major retailers sell refurbished stock with return windows.

Use Trade-In Offers

Trade-in values tend to hold up when new devices get more expensive. Compare the manufacturer’s offer with carrier and retailer trade-ins, and wipe your device properly first — our guide to wiping any device before selling it walks through it.

Don’t Overbuy RAM or Storage

Memory is exactly what’s become expensive. Buy what you’ll use for the device’s life — our guide on how much RAM you actually need has practical numbers — but don’t pay a shortage premium for capacity you’ll never touch.

Track Prices

Set price alerts on the models you’re considering and watch for dips. If a device you want hits a price you’re happy with, that’s a good time to buy — it may not stay there.

Make Your Current Device Last Longer

Stretching your current device another year is often the best money move in a high-price market:

• Replace a worn battery — far cheaper than a new phone
• Free up storage and remove startup apps — see how to speed up a slow Android phone and how to speed up Windows 11
• On older Windows laptops, an SSD swap or RAM upgrade (if the slots exist) can feel like a new machine
• Use a case and screen protector so an accident doesn’t force an early upgrade

Buying in India? A Few Extra Tips

The shortage is global, but the budget and mid-range segments that dominate India feel it most, because margins there are thinnest. A few habits help:

• Time big purchases around festive and year-end sales, when bank card discounts and exchange offers stack on top of list prices.
• Check the exact variant. Some brands launch cheaper variants with less RAM or storage under the same model name — compare spec sheets, not just the headline price.
• Use exchange offers carefully. They’re often better than resale for older phones, but compare the exchange value against selling privately.
• Prefer brand or authorised stores for warranty. Grey-market imports can be cheaper but may not be covered for service.
• No-cost EMI isn’t always free. Check whether the discount is removed or a processing fee is added when you choose EMI.

What About the Budget End of the Market?

This is where the shortage hurts most. IDC warns that brands focused on low-cost devices have thin margins and little choice but to pass costs on, and reports suggest some sub-$100 smartphones are being squeezed out of production entirely. If you shop in this range, expect fewer choices and some spec cuts — so check RAM and storage carefully rather than assuming this year’s model beats last year’s.

• Memory shortage is pushing prices up and is expected to last into 2027
• Buy now if your device is failing, unsupported, or costing you time
• Wait if it still works — and target a specific sale like Black Friday (Nov 27)
• Save with last year’s model, certified refurbished and trade-ins
• Don’t overbuy RAM or storage — that’s exactly what got expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

Will laptop prices go down in 2027?

Forecasts suggest memory supply stays tight into 2027, so big drops are unlikely soon. Normal sales and end-of-line discounts will still happen.

Is it a good time to buy a phone?

If you need one, yes — waiting is unlikely to bring much lower prices. If your phone works fine, you’ll save more by keeping it and replacing the battery if needed.

Why do new phones have the same RAM as last year’s?

Memory has become much more expensive, so manufacturers are holding RAM steady instead of increasing it. IDC expects 2026 Pro flagships to stay at 12GB rather than move to 16GB.

Is it better to upgrade my old laptop instead?

If it has upgradeable RAM or storage and a reasonably recent processor, a small upgrade can buy you another year or two for far less than a new machine. Many thin laptops and all current Macs can’t be upgraded, though.

Are refurbished laptops safe to buy?

Certified refurbished devices from manufacturers or major retailers are generally a safe way to save, especially with a warranty and return window. Avoid unverified sellers.

The Bottom Line

Don’t wait for prices to return to normal — that probably isn’t happening before 2027. Buy when you genuinely need to, time non-urgent purchases around sales, and use last-year models, refurbished stock and trade-ins to soften the increase. If you’re shopping for a laptop now, our budget laptop guide shows what to prioritise.

Last updated: October 10, 2026. Sources: IDC, Astute Group, CSIS.