Updated

Soaring prices for AI-driven memory chips are making sub-$100 smartphones increasingly rare, a trend affecting manufacturers even in China where budget devices have long been a staple. The price pressure stems from surging demand for memory components tied to AI applications, squeezing margins on low-cost devices. However, brokerage GF Securities said NAND flash prices may begin to stabilize later this year, a forecast that could ease some of the pressure on device makers if it materializes. The outlook was framed in the context of its implications for Sandisk, a major NAND supplier, adding a note of potential relief to an otherwise persistent memory-price squeeze narrative.