The technology world is entering a turbulent phase. Despite grand promises of an AI revolution, consumers are facing a far less glamorous reality: widespread component shortages, soaring hardware prices and unusually long delivery times.
Behind the scenes of the smartphone industry, developments are turning 2026 into a very different – and very expensive – year for anyone planning to upgrade.
Buy last year’s flagship
One of the clearest signs of the current crisis is the dramatic surge in RAM prices, at times tripling compared to previous levels.
What is striking is that not only ordinary consumers are affected. Even major technology giants are feeling the strain.
According to multiple reports, Samsung Semiconductor, the chip-making arm of Samsung, reportedly declined a specific RAM order from Samsung Electronics for its upcoming smartphone batch.
It may sound surprising, but it reflects reality: even Samsung cannot simply prioritize itself, as its semiconductor division seeks to maximize profit by selling RAM to other partners at higher margins.
This situation illustrates the intensity of today’s component market, where AI data centers and servers are absorbing already limited supply.
The inevitable consequence of shortages is that smartphone manufacturers must tighten their belts.
Rumors have begun circulating about potential RAM reductions on upcoming models, from mid-range devices to flagships.
Two scenarios are being considered. One is that new Galaxy S models could see slight RAM cuts to ensure production stability.
The other is a price increase to maintain familiar configurations such as 12GB or 16GB of RAM. For consumers, neither option is particularly appealing.
Leaks suggest Samsung may raise prices for the Galaxy S26 series, while keeping the Galaxy S25 – at least the Ultra version – at its current level to create a perception of better value compared to 2026 pricing.
This strategy is not new. Samsung previously applied a similar approach with Galaxy S Ultra and Tab S Ultra lineups.
And Samsung is hardly alone. Apple, Google, Oppo, Xiaomi and Sony are all caught in the same vortex.
Slower hardware gains, smarter buying
Against this backdrop, an old piece of advice suddenly feels remarkably relevant: buy last year’s flagship.
The pace of smartphone hardware innovation has clearly slowed. A camera launched 12 months ago may be “only” 5 percent behind its successor.
A year-old chip may score 7 percent lower on Geekbench benchmarks. But do those numbers truly matter in everyday use?
When launched, these flagships represented the pinnacle of technology, designed to remain competitive for years.
The passage of 365 days does not suddenly render them obsolete.
In fact, under current supply constraints, purchasing an older model may not only save money but also deliver stronger hardware value for the price paid.
To contain inflation at around 10 percent, some manufacturers may resort to slightly lower-quality components in new releases. In such cases, last year’s flagship could become the real bargain.
AI remains the industry’s most heavily promoted driver, but its tangible value on smartphones continues to spark debate.
The next hyped trend is “agentic AI” – systems capable of autonomously completing complex task sequences based on simple commands such as, “Check when I need to fly to New York and book the ticket for me.”
It sounds futuristic, yet for those who have used AI tools extensively, the vision can feel more like a fragile dream where errors are never far away.
More importantly, chips like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple’s A18 – already marketed as AI powerhouses – are fully capable of handling most current AI features.
If a new AI function is so cutting-edge that it is locked exclusively to the very latest models, consumers may not need to rush toward it, at least until early bugs are resolved.
Another factor strengthening the case for older devices is extended software support.
A Galaxy or Pixel phone launched in 2024 may receive updates through 2031, including full Android versions, not just security patches.
With hardware performance reaching maturity and remaining sufficient for years, the fear of “falling behind” has lost much of its force.
Modern smartphone cameras are already capable of capturing meaningful memories without chasing every new generation.
For those considering a previous-generation flagship, the ideal choice remains new, unsold inventory. Refurbished devices or second-hand purchases may be cheaper but carry risks.
Buyers should pay close attention to three issues: counterfeit products, stolen devices and battery condition. Unless highly knowledgeable, purchasing from reputable sources is strongly advised.
For most mainstream consumers, the safest and most comfortable solution may be a sealed, previous-generation flagship.
In a volatile year like 2026, that decision could prove wiser than ever – both for the wallet and for long-term user experience.
Hai Phong
