Polarization is everywhere these days, even in the smartphone market.
According to Omdia analyst Justy Hong, runaway memory prices are polarizing the global smartphone market, stifling demand for budget smartphones.
"To cope with severe cost pressures, smartphone vendors are scaling back low-end lineups and shifting their focus to mid- and high-end segments," he wrote in a company blog.
For premium models, where consumers are less sensitive to price hikes, smartphone vendors continue to upgrade performance and specifications despite soaring material costs, he added.
He predicted smartphone shipments in 2026 will decline 12% from 2025 levels.
