Budget Phones Get Pricier Amid RAM Crisis

Samsung and Google have increased prices on their budget phones in response to the ongoing RAM crisis. The Galaxy A17 5G now costs $270, up from $200 at launch, while the Pixel 10a has risen by $100 to $599. This is not the first price hike for Samsung's A series, with some models increasing in cost by as much as $70 since their initial release.

The RAM shortage has affected many tech companies, and it seems unlikely that prices will return to normal anytime soon. The best-case scenario is that production increases in China will alleviate the issue by 2025, but a more pessimistic outlook suggests higher RAM prices could persist through 2030.