TECH NEWS – Smartphone manufacturers want to use this to bridge the storage capacity gap (so they don’t have to invest too much in the device).
The microSD card slot was a convenient and inexpensive way to expand storage capacity, offering an alternative to paying a significant premium for higher-end models. Unfortunately, manufacturers slowly eliminated this flexibility by removing the slot altogether, thereby increasing their profits. However, the rise in DRAM costs may prove to be a blessing because rumor has it that smartphone manufacturers are considering reinstating the microSD card slot.
Although Weibo Repeater 002 did not mention which manufacturers would do so, rumors are circulating among Chinese suppliers, prompting the post on the microblogging network. As the DRAM shortage will likely continue until at least the fourth quarter of 2027, the price of desktop and laptop memory kits has skyrocketed (we recently wrote about this). This development will also negatively impact DRAM chips for smartphones. Samsung’s Device Solutions division reportedly rejected a request from its Mobile Experience division for memory kit supplies. Instead, it opted for a quarterly contract that will be reviewed every three months. With the price of a single 12 GB LPDDR5X currently estimated at $70—more than double the $33 price at the beginning of the year—one sector of the South Korean giant will clearly prioritize profitability.
Given this trend, the increase in DRAM prices will also raise the price of smartphones. However, it is up to manufacturers to decide how much of this cost increase they are willing to absorb. By offering a microSD card slot to expand storage capacity, consumers can opt for the version with basic internal memory to save money, which will help companies maintain sales and revenue. Even better, these smartphones will support the newer microSD Express standard, which eliminates the performance bottleneck of supported cards.
Unfortunately, models already in production are not expected to undergo a complete redesign, so manufacturers planning to launch smartphones in the second half of 2026 will likely have to incorporate a microSD slot again.
