Key Points
- A “storage super cycle” is causing significant price increases in new laptops and smartphones, projected to continue through 2026 or even 2027.
- PC manufacturers like Lenovo (Lianxiang 联想), Dell, and HP (Huipu 惠普) are raising prices by approximately ¥500 RMB ($70 USD) to ¥1,500 RMB ($210 USD).
- Smartphone prices are also increasing, with entry-level devices seeing hikes of ¥100 RMB ($14 USD) to ¥300 RMB ($42 USD), and mid-range devices by ¥300 RMB ($42 USD) to ¥600 RMB ($84 USD).
- The price surge is driven by demand mismatches, capital expenditure constraints, and rapid technological migration in the storage market.
- Consumers should expect sustained price pressure for 18+ months, meaning new devices will likely remain more expensive for the foreseeable future.
- Laptops (Global Brands): Price increases between ¥500 and ¥1,500 RMB.
- Entry-Level Smartphones: Price increases between ¥100 and ¥300 RMB.
- Mid-Range Smartphones: Price increases between ¥300 and ¥600 RMB.
- Projected Duration: Sustained through the end of 2026 or into 2027.
The tech hardware market is experiencing a significant shift.
Storage costs are rising fast, and that means your next laptop or smartphone is going to cost more.
Major PC manufacturers and smartphone makers are raising prices across the board, and analysts predict this trend won’t stop until at least 2026.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what you should know about the storage super cycle impacting consumer electronics right now.
Storage Cost Pressures Are Officially Hitting Consumer Electronics
Recent reporting from Star Market Daily (Ke Chuang Ban Ri Bao 科创板日报) reveals that rising storage costs have rippled through the entire consumer electronics supply chain.
This isn’t theoretical anymore — it’s real.
Industry observers conducting direct interviews with manufacturers confirm that pressure from rising storage costs has officially trickled down to consumer electronics.
The impact is most visible in two core categories:
- Laptop computers
- Smartphone devices
And the price adjustments are substantial.
PC Manufacturers Leading the Charge with Price Increases
Major laptop manufacturers aren’t holding back.
Industry leaders like Lenovo (Lianxiang 联想), Dell, and HP (Huipu 惠普) have all moved forward with collective price adjustments.
Here’s what the numbers look like:
- Lenovo (Lianxiang 联想): Price increases of approximately ¥500 RMB ($70 USD) to ¥1,500 RMB ($210 USD)
- Dell: Similar upward adjustments across product lines
- HP (Huipu 惠普): Comparable price hikes to competitors
These aren’t small adjustments — we’re talking meaningful increases that will show up directly on price tags.
Smartphones See Price Hikes Across Chinese Manufacturers
The mobile sector is experiencing its own pricing pressure.
Domestic smartphone manufacturers are raising prices on new models compared to previous generations.
The increases range widely depending on the device:
- Entry-level increases: ¥100 RMB ($14 USD) to ¥300 RMB ($42 USD)
- Mid-range increases: ¥300 RMB ($42 USD) to ¥600 RMB ($84 USD)
This means even budget-friendly smartphones aren’t immune to the storage super cycle effect.
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What’s Driving the Storage Super Cycle?
The price surge isn’t random or temporary — it’s driven by specific market dynamics that are reshaping the hardware landscape.
The Core Drivers Behind Rising Storage Costs
According to electronics research analysts from leading brokerage firms, three primary factors are fueling this cycle:
- Demand mismatches: Supply and demand for storage components are severely out of balance
- Capital expenditure constraints: Limited investment in new manufacturing capacity
- Rapid technological migration: Industry-wide shifts toward newer storage standards and technologies
These factors aren’t temporary blips.
They represent structural changes in the semiconductor and storage market that require time to resolve.
Mixed Impact Across the Supply Chain
While storage manufacturers are clearly benefiting from higher prices, the impact varies across different segments of the supply chain.
AIoT chip manufacturers (companies making chips for Internet of Things devices) are experiencing varied effects depending on their specific product mix and market positioning.
However, companies like chip testing firms are finding new opportunities emerging as manufacturers scale production to meet demand.
This creates an interesting dynamic: some segments are thriving while others are struggling with margin pressure.
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How Long Will the Storage Super Cycle Last?
If you’re waiting for prices to drop, you might be waiting a while.
Pricing Predictions Through 2026 and Beyond
Industry analysts have made clear projections about the timeline for this storage super cycle:
- Full materialization: The comprehensive and broad-based upward surge in storage prices is expected to fully materialize throughout 2026
- Duration: This cycle is projected to persist until the end of 2026 or potentially extend into 2027
That means we’re likely looking at 18+ months of sustained price pressure on consumer electronics.
If you’re planning to buy a new laptop or smartphone, understanding this timeline matters.
Why Prices Won’t Drop Quickly
The structural nature of these price drivers means quick relief is unlikely.
Demand won’t suddenly match supply overnight, manufacturing capacity won’t materialize instantly, and technological transitions take time.
This isn’t like a temporary price spike that corrects in a quarter or two.
It’s a multi-year adjustment period.
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What This Means for Investors, Founders, and Consumers
The storage super cycle has real implications depending on where you sit in the tech ecosystem.
For Investors
Storage and memory manufacturers are positioned to benefit from sustained pricing power through 2026.
Companies in the supply chain like chip testing firms may see new growth opportunities.
Conversely, consumer electronics manufacturers face margin compression as input costs rise.
For Founders and Tech Builders
If you’re building hardware-dependent products or services, account for higher component costs in your planning.
The cost structure of hardware is shifting, and that affects everything from unit economics to pricing strategy.
For Consumers
Expect higher prices on new devices through 2026.
If you’re considering a laptop or smartphone purchase, timing matters — but patience won’t necessarily reward you with better prices anytime soon.
The storage super cycle is here to stay.
The Bottom Line on the Storage Super Cycle
The storage super cycle is real, it’s already affecting prices across major consumer electronics, and it’s projected to continue through 2026 and potentially into 2027.
Major PC manufacturers like Lenovo (Lianxiang 联想), Dell, and HP (Huipu 惠普) are raising prices by ¥500 RMB ($70 USD) to ¥1,500 RMB ($210 USD).
Smartphone manufacturers are implementing increases ranging from ¥100 RMB ($14 USD) to ¥600 RMB ($84 USD) depending on device category.
The drivers — demand mismatches, capital constraints, and rapid technological migration — suggest this isn’t a temporary phenomenon.
If you’re investing in hardware companies, building tech products, or shopping for new devices, understanding the storage super cycle and its multi-year timeline is essential for making informed decisions.
References
- Storage “Super Cycle” Drives Price Surge Across Consumer Electronics: Laptops and Domestic Smartphones Face Collective Price Hikes – Cailian Press (Cailianshe 财联社)
- Latest Trends in the Semiconductor Supply Chain – Star Market Daily (Ke Chuang Ban Ri Bao 科创板日报)
- Global Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker – IDC
- Smartphone Market Analysis and Memory Pricing Impact – Counterpoint Research
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