Smartphone Makers Turn to Reballed DRAM as Memory Prices Climb

What reballed memory is

The chips are taken from other devices and then prepared for reuse. The process includes removing the old solder balls and applying new ones, so the chip can be soldered onto a circuit board again.

For now the approach is concentrated in the cheapest phones. TrendForce says the dominant component is 4 GB LPDDR4X, which goes mainly into budget 4G models priced at no more than 1,299 yuan (roughly 680 zloty). In that segment even small savings on components matter for keeping prices competitive.

Could it reach pricier phones?

That may change. TrendForce expects DRAM contract price increases to accelerate in the first quarter of 2027, adding pressure on phone makers. Reclaimed chips could gradually appear in more expensive devices, and manufacturers may also opt for lower-spec components. Even so, the share of reclaimed chips in total smartphone LPDRAM consumption is expected to stay relatively small.

The savings come with trade-offs. TrendForce notes that sourcing desoldered chips is more complicated, and their quality and consistency of specifications can be less predictable than with new parts. That raises questions about reliability and lifespan, and could mean more warranty claims, higher repair costs and lost customer trust.

For manufacturers it is a difficult compromise: cutting costs now against potentially much higher expenses later if quality problems emerge. The DRAM crunch, however, is making even this option increasingly attractive.