When it comes to the performance of our smartphones, obviously the chipset matters. But in addition to the chipset, we have to consider memory as well. Faster memory means our phones feel smoother, apps won’t have to reload as often, and multitasking becomes a dream. Now, according to a recent report from Digital Chat Station , it seems that LPDDR6 RAM might only be used by flagship chipsets like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 6 and the MediaTek Dimensity 9600.
Premium memory for premium phones only
The exclusivity of LPDDR6 RAM for Snapdragon and Dimensity chipsets stems from predicted price hikes in the new memory standard. Industry forecasts predict that LPDDR6 prices will surge in 2026. This will limit adoption to what manufacturers are calling “pro-level” chipsets. This means that devices powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and MediaTek’s upcoming Dimensity 9600 will deliver on paper, better power efficiency, raw performance, and enhanced AI capabilities compared to previous generations.
We also shouldn’t ignore TSMC’s rising production costs for advanced manufacturing processes. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will be built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm N2P technology and support both LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage. MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 is expected to feature similar specifications.
But what does it mean for consumers? Basically, it means that flagship smartphones with these processors could be noticeably more expensive. However, the performance gains are substantial. So, if you want a top-of-the-line smartphone, you’re going to have to pay for it.
Why older RAM standards aren’t actually bad
While higher-end phones will use LPDDR6 RAM, other devices will likely continue using LPDDR5 or LPDDR5X for the near future. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At the moment, LPDDR5X memory already delivers excellent performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and productivity. Also, unless you’re looking at benchmark figures, most people won’t notice a significant difference anyway.
Plus, if it also means that we get to keep the prices of low-mid-range phones down, or the same as they are today, why not? For now, mid-range chipsets like the Snapdragon 7 series and MediaTek’s Dimensity 8000 series offer excellent value. Unless you absolutely need cutting-edge specifications, waiting for prices of LPDDR6 memory to stabilize might be the smarter financial choice.
