If it feels as if every gadget costs more than it used to, you are not imagining things. In 2026, price increases have hit phones, laptops, tablets and game consoles at once. Yahoo Finance reported in July 2026 that a long list of devices had become more expensive, and it pointed to one main culprit: a global shortage of memory chips, driven by the hunger of AI data centres. This guide explains what is happening, which brands raised prices, how the memory shortage ties in, and seven practical ways to avoid overpaying.
In this article
- Which Devices Got More Expensive?
- The Main Reason: A Global Memory Shortage
- Tariffs Play a Role Too
- Why Consoles Did Not Get Cheaper With Age
- 7 Ways to Buy Smart in a High-Price Market
- What Could Change the Picture?
- What About Laptops and PCs Specifically?
- A Buyer’s Checklist for High-Price Times
- What Businesses and Schools Can Do
- A Realistic Outlook
- Should You Buy Now or Wait?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
Which Devices Got More Expensive?
According to Yahoo Finance’s report by Daniel Howley, published on 3 July 2026, several major brands raised prices:
| Brand | What the report says |
| Apple | Price increases on MacBook and iPad lines, plus home devices and Vision Pro, announced the week before the article |
| Samsung | The Galaxy S26 launched at higher prices than its predecessors; the Tab S11 tablets and Galaxy Z Flip 7 also went up |
| Microsoft | Raised prices on the Xbox Series S and Series X consoles |
| Sony | Raised prices on the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro |
| Nintendo | Raised the price of the Switch 2, and the original Switch, which launched in 2017 at $299, now costs $339 |
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The article did not give exact dollar figures for most of these increases, so check current prices on each manufacturer’s site. You can read the original Yahoo Finance report on how much more expensive your devices have become.
The Main Reason: A Global Memory Shortage
Almost every digital device contains memory. Phones and laptops use DRAM, often in the form of DDR memory, while AI servers use a specialised, high-bandwidth memory called HBM. Yahoo Finance explains that AI data-centre buildouts have driven strong demand for DRAM. Data-centre builders are buying as much HBM as they can, which squeezes the supply of ordinary DDR memory for consumer products. The article says Micron is building new factories, but that this extra capacity will take years to arrive.
In plain terms, the same chip makers serve both AI servers and your next laptop, and the servers are winning the competition for supply. When supply is tight, memory prices rise, and device makers pass at least part of the cost on to buyers.
Our coverage of Micron’s record earnings and the deepening global memory shortage looks at the supply side in more detail.
Tariffs Play a Role Too
The same report cites global tariffs introduced by President Trump as a factor in console pricing. Tariffs add costs when products or parts cross borders, and companies may respond with higher prices. How much of any increase comes from tariffs and how much from memory differs by product and country, and the article does not break it down.
Why Consoles Did Not Get Cheaper With Age
Historically, console makers have cut prices as their systems age. The report says that practice has stalled. A console that once got cheaper each year may now cost more than it did at launch, which breaks a pattern that many buyers had long relied on.
7 Ways to Buy Smart in a High-Price Market
1. Decide whether you really need to upgrade
When prices rise, the case for keeping a working device gets stronger. Check battery, storage and software support before replacing anything. Our guide to how much RAM you really need in 2026 also helps you avoid paying for memory you will not use.
2. Pay for memory only where it matters
Because memory is the pressure point, configuration upgrades can be especially expensive. Choose the RAM and storage that fit your actual tasks. If a laptop allows RAM upgrades later, buy a lower configuration and add memory when prices ease. Many thin laptops solder RAM to the board, so check before you buy.
3. Consider last year’s model
Previous-generation devices are often much cheaper and nearly as capable. When a new model arrives, the older one frequently drops in price, which may offset the market-wide increases.
4. Buy refurbished from reputable sellers
Manufacturer-certified refurbished devices usually come with a warranty and can save a significant amount. Buy from the maker or a seller with a clear returns policy.
5. Compare prices and watch for sales
Prices vary between retailers and change around sales events. Use price-tracking tools, compare several stores and check the total cost including delivery and tax. Be cautious of deals that look too good to be true.
6. Look at trade-in and bundle offers
Trade-ins can offset part of the cost, but compare the offer with what you would get by selling privately. Bundles that include accessories can help if you were going to buy them anyway.
7. Time your purchase
If your current device is working, waiting for a sales period or for supply to improve may save money. If you need a device now, do not delay at the cost of productivity or safety.
What Could Change the Picture?
- New memory factories coming online, although the report says this will take years
- Slower AI data-centre demand, which would free up supply
- Changes in tariffs and trade rules
- Manufacturers choosing to absorb costs to stay competitive
- Greater competition between brands
Because these factors are uncertain, nobody can say exactly when prices will ease. Plan on the assumption that high prices may last, but check news before large purchases.
What About Laptops and PCs Specifically?
Laptops are especially sensitive to memory costs, because RAM and SSD storage make up a meaningful part of the price. If you build or upgrade a desktop, memory modules and SSDs may cost more than you expect. Comparing SSD and HDD options can help you decide where to spend. Some buyers may choose a larger mechanical drive for bulk storage and a smaller SSD for speed.
A Buyer’s Checklist for High-Price Times
- Write down the three features you truly need
- Check how long your current device will remain supported
- Compare at least three retailers, including the manufacturer’s refurbished store
- Look at the total price, including delivery, tax and warranty
- Ask whether accessories such as chargers are included
- Check the return policy before paying
- Set a price ceiling and stick to it
What Businesses and Schools Can Do
Organisations that buy many devices feel the price rise even more. Options include extending refresh cycles, buying certified refurbished stock, standardising on fewer configurations, negotiating volume discounts and planning purchases ahead of budget cycles. Maintaining devices well, with battery care and software updates, also helps them last longer.
A Realistic Outlook
The report says that new memory factories will take years to come online, so relief is not immediate. In the meantime, prices may stay elevated, and manufacturers could keep adjusting them. Keep an eye on official announcements, and avoid making a panic purchase based on rumours. A calm, planned approach almost always costs less.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
| Your situation | Suggested approach |
| Current device works well | Wait, and keep it updated |
| Device is failing or unsupported | Buy a sensible model now |
| You can use a refurbished model | Compare certified refurbished offers |
| You want the latest flagship | Compare last year’s model first |
| You are buying for a business | Plan purchases and ask about volume pricing |
Watching for seasonal sales, comparing retailers and avoiding impulse purchases can still save real money, even when the whole market is pricier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are phones and laptops getting more expensive?
Reports point mainly to a global memory shortage caused by strong AI data-centre demand, with tariffs also affecting some products.
Which brands raised prices?
Yahoo Finance’s July 2026 report named Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
Will prices come down?
New memory factories are being built, but they will take years. Prices may remain high for some time.
Is it better to buy now or wait?
If your device works well, waiting is reasonable. If you need to replace it, compare offers and choose carefully.
The Bottom Line
The rise in device prices in 2026 is mainly a story about memory. AI servers are absorbing chips that phones, laptops and consoles also need, and new supply will take years to arrive. You cannot control that, but you can control how you buy: keep what works, pay only for the specs you need, consider last year’s models or certified refurbished devices, and time your purchase carefully. A little patience and planning can save real money in a market where prices are moving the wrong way.
