Your next phone could cost even more, and this time it’s not just RAM

The RAM crisis, driven by rising demand for AI infrastructure, has pushed prices up across the board, including smartphones. So far this year, Google and Samsung have raised prices, while other OEMs have been forced to make trade-offs to avoid that fate. But a RAM shortage may not be the only issue brands face heading into 2027, as Samsung’s OLED screens, which are used by several phone makers, could also become pricier.

According to Chinese supply chain source ChannelGate, Samsung has told its suppliers that the cost of OLED panels will rise in 2027 by around $10 to $20 (via ITHome). The source adds that this hike isn’t due to price-related pressures, but a company strategy to “regain control” of OLED panel pricing, which Samsung supposedly feels is “chaotic” right now.

Prominent leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo also shared a similar assessment, noting that shortages in the OLED IC (integrated circuit) have resulted in cost increases.

This, the leaker claims, could make the impact “more pronounced” in 2027, adding that some smartphone OEMs may have started stocking up on OLED panels to counter some of the impact. Meanwhile, sources quoted by the leaker anticipate the RAM crisis to continue until 2029 or 2030.

While the tech industry may have prepared for rising memory component costs, higher OLED panel prices could make things trickier for manufacturers next year.

In addition to its own devices, Samsung supplies OLED screens to a wide range of midrange and premium smartphone manufacturers. So don’t be surprised if you see another price bump across a bulk of the new phones launching in 2027.

If these reports hold up, more consumers may consider buying pre-owned smartphones to offset some of that steep upfront cost. It will be interesting to see whether this price bump appears in upcoming devices, including Samsung’s Galaxy S27 series, which is expected to debut early next year.