Huawei, Xiaomi and Honor raise prices as memory costs feed through

Smartphone makers in China are passing memory costs through to consumers. On 1 September 2026, Jiemian News reported that Huawei, Xiaomi and Honor raised prices on multiple lines, with increases of up to about 1,000 yuan (roughly US$140): Huawei’s Mate 80 series rose by 800 yuan, with premium Pro models up 1,000 yuan, while Xiaomi and Honor adjusted several models. Earlier in the year, Oppo and Vivo also raised prices on selected lines, according to CCTV as cited by the outlet.

Why it is happening

The reported driver is the redirection of advanced memory capacity toward AI: an estimated 70%–90% of advanced capacity at Samsung, SK hynix and Micron has been described as moved to HBM, tightening consumer-grade DRAM and NAND supply. One cited report (Blue Whale News) put DRAM contract prices in the first half of 2026 up 340% year-on-year, with NAND up 320%.

Voices

Huawei’s Richard Yu has warned that sharply higher memory prices could force broad handset price increases; Xiaomi president Lu Weibing said in May that some Chinese flagships could pass the 10,000-yuan mark in the second half. Market researcher IDC is cited showing China smartphone shipments still declining year-on-year in the first half of 2026.