Smartphone prices this year will rise sharply due to a shortage of RAM and storage chips, with the blame being placed on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The price of the Galaxy A and Galaxy X in Malaysia has increased by between RM500-600 each compared to last year's models. Korean media DealSite reported this after Samsung has reduced production costs by using Chinese-made components.
Among the things that have been done is using CSOT-made OLED screens instead of Samsung Display on mid-range devices such as the A57. The Galaxy S's ultra-wide camera sensor has also started using a Sunny Optical-made sensor. Meanwhile, the hinges for the Galaxy Z series will be manufactured by KH Vatec, which is again a Chinese company.
China is no longer seen as a country that produces low-quality components and instead offers comparable features at a lower cost. This can be seen for itself with Sony using Chinese OEMs for Xperia devices and establishing a new entity with TCL to produce Bravia TVs.
