Consumers expecting smartphone, laptop, tablet, and gaming device prices to drop may have to wait much longer. The main reason behind the rising costs is the increasing price of memory components, driven largely by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The huge demand for DRAM and NAND memory from AI data centres has created supply pressure, pushing up costs across the consumer electronics industry for more than a year.
Earlier estimates suggested that prices could begin improving by 2027, but recent developments indicate that the situation may remain challenging for several more years. Memory manufacturers appear to be preparing for a prolonged period of high demand, which could keep prices elevated well into the end of the decade.
Micron Technology, one of the world’s largest memory chip makers, recently revealed that it had signed 16 major supply agreements with customers across data centres, consumer electronics, and automotive industries. Most of these deals will run from 2026 through 2030 and follow take-or-pay contracts, meaning customers commit to buying certain quantities of DRAM and NAND at agreed price ranges. Micron said these agreements could help maintain stronger profit margins than it has achieved in previous memory cycles.
The current shortage began gaining momentum in 2024 when AI investment accelerated globally. Data centres running advanced AI models started consuming massive amounts of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a specialised form of DRAM. Companies such as Samsung and SK Hynix shifted more production capacity toward HBM because it offers higher returns compared with traditional memory products.
This shift affected the supply of memory used in everyday consumer devices. Smartphone manufacturers rely on LPDDR memory, laptops and PCs require DDR5, and most electronics depend on NAND storage. With more production focused on AI-related demand, regular consumer products began facing higher component costs.
By 2026, the impact had become visible in the market. Indian smartphone company Lava told Business Standard that memory, which previously accounted for around 15 to 20 percent of a phone’s total manufacturing cost, had grown to nearly match the cost of all other components combined. Smartphone brands including OnePlus, Vivo, Samsung, and Nothing responded by adjusting prices across different product segments. Apple also began feeling the pressure. Several Mac Studio, Mac mini, and MacBook models became harder to find in India, especially higher-memory versions, with some facing extended delivery timelines. The situation became more serious when Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that rising costs were becoming difficult to absorb. Cook said the company had tried to protect customers from price increases but had reached a point where passing on some costs had become unavoidable.
Following this, Apple increased prices for several products, including iPads, Macs, MacBooks, and Home devices. In India, some premium MacBook Pro models saw significant price increases, while the entry-level iPad also became more expensive. Microsoft also announced higher prices for Xbox consoles, blaming a sharp rise in memory and storage costs.
Apple’s decision is important because the company is one of the biggest buyers of smartphone memory globally. With its enormous purchasing power and strong supplier relationships, Apple usually has the ability to negotiate better prices. Therefore, when Apple itself starts transferring higher costs to customers, it indicates that the broader industry is facing serious pressure.
Smaller brands are experiencing similar challenges. Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis reacted to reports of Apple’s price increases by saying, “Even Apple.” The company had already decided not to introduce a budget CMF phone model because pricing conditions made it difficult to justify, while existing products also saw price adjustments. To reduce costs, some electronics companies started using older memory technologies such as DDR2 and DDR3. However, even these older components began becoming more expensive as demand spread throughout the market. The temporary solution did not solve the larger supply problem.
The biggest concern now is that this pressure could continue until 2030. Microsoft recently indicated that memory and storage costs for consoles had increased significantly and warned that prices could rise further in the coming years. Micron’s long-term agreements also suggest that supply constraints for DRAM and NAND may continue beyond 2027.
The transition to newer technologies such as DDR6 and future generations of HBM is another factor driving costs higher. Although production capacity may improve over time, the cost of advanced memory technology is expected to keep increasing. Industry analysts believe this memory cycle is different from previous ones because AI is permanently changing how manufacturing capacity is allocated. IDC’s Singh explained that memory has traditionally followed a repeating cycle, but the current situation is different because a large portion of capacity is being redirected toward AI infrastructure.
While smartphone prices may eventually stabilise as consumers adjust to the new reality, other electronics categories could face longer-term pressure. People may start using laptops, tablets, and gaming devices for longer periods instead of upgrading frequently. The result is that the era of constantly falling electronics prices may be coming to an end. AI-driven demand and memory shortages could reshape the consumer technology market, keeping device prices higher for years to come.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
The investigation into alleged irregularities involving donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has intensified, with Uttar Pradesh Police registering an FIR against eight individuals following a complaint filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The police action comes just days after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary report to the state government regarding allegations of misappropriation of devotees' offerings at the temple.
According to officials, the FIR was lodged at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station on the complaint of Trust member Krishna Mohan. The case names eight accused and includes charges related to theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy, and alleged embezzlement of donations received from devotees.
Among those named in the FIR are Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Lavkush Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ramashankar Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, and Karunesh Pandey. Some of the accused were reportedly associated with the handling and counting of cash offerings at the temple.
The controversy surfaced earlier this month after allegations emerged regarding possible irregularities in the management of donations and valuables offered by devotees. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter. The Trust had also sought a detailed investigation, stating that the probe was necessary to establish facts and address concerns surrounding the issue.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the SIT examined financial records, questioned several individuals connected to the donation management process, and submitted its initial findings earlier this week. Based on those findings, authorities moved forward with criminal proceedings.
In a further development, reports indicate that all eight accused were taken into custody shortly after the FIR was registered and are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. Police are also examining whether additional individuals may have been involved in the alleged misuse of temple funds and valuables.
The case has attracted significant public attention due to the religious and cultural importance of the Ram Temple, which receives donations from devotees across the country and abroad. Authorities have assured that the investigation will be carried out thoroughly and that appropriate action will be taken based on the evidence collected. The SIT probe is continuing, and officials have not ruled out further legal or administrative measures as the inquiry progresses.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan TImes.
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that Israel must completely withdraw from Lebanese territory, claiming that the ongoing regional conflict has entered a new stage with what he described as the defeat of the “Israeli-American project.” Speaking at the Central Ashura Council in Beirut, Qassem portrayed recent developments as a major shift in the regional balance and a success for the resistance movement. He said attempts to weaken Hezbollah had failed, claiming that the group had overcome efforts aimed at destroying it.
“We have broken the Israeli-American project and entered a new phase,” Qassem said, according to Press TV. Discussing the future of Israel-Lebanon relations, the Hezbollah leader called for an end to military actions and violations of Lebanese sovereignty. He insisted that Israel must stop attacks and withdraw its forces from Lebanese land, air, and maritime areas.
Qassem also accused Israel of pursuing expansionist ambitions, saying Hezbollah emerged as a response to what he described as occupation and aggression. He credited the group’s military capabilities to years of resistance and support from Iran, claiming that this had created a strong deterrent against Israeli operations.
He further described a recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding as a major setback for Washington and Tel Aviv, calling it evidence of the failure of their policies in the region. Qassem praised Iran’s leadership and resilience, saying the country was playing a key role in shaping regional developments.
Israeli military operations have continued in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had killed six Hezbollah members, alleging they posed a threat to Israeli troops operating in the area. The IDF stated that the strikes were carried out after identifying armed individuals in locations including Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Ali al-Taher Ridge. At the same time, diplomatic discussions are reportedly underway in Washington involving Lebanese and Israeli representatives over possible arrangements in southern Lebanon. The proposed framework reportedly focuses on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas and the deployment of the Lebanese army in their place.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the final guidelines aimed at expanding the country’s credit derivatives market, allowing broader participation and greater use of instruments such as Credit Default Swaps (CDS) and total return swaps. The central bank announced the move on Thursday, with the new framework coming into effect immediately from June 25, 2026. The development follows the government’s proposal in the Union Budget 2026 to strengthen India’s credit derivatives ecosystem and provide market participants with better tools for managing credit risks.
Under the new rules, resident non-retail users will be permitted to use credit derivative instruments, including CDS and total return swaps, without restrictions on their purpose. However, non-resident participants will be allowed to use these instruments mainly for hedging activities. For resident retail users, excluding individuals, CDS transactions will be permitted only for risk protection purposes. The RBI clarified that such users can purchase credit protection only to hedge their existing exposure.
The updated framework also allows credit derivative contracts involving non-residents to be settled either in Indian rupees or foreign currency, depending on the terms of the agreement. The RBI has expanded the list of eligible participants who can act as protection sellers. Insurance companies, pension funds, mutual funds, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) will now be allowed to sell credit protection under the revised guidelines.
The central bank said it reviewed the draft directions after receiving feedback from stakeholders and incorporated necessary changes into the final Master Directions. Regarding exchange-traded credit derivatives, the RBI stated that stock exchanges will be allowed to introduce standardised single-name CDS contracts and credit index-based CDS products with guaranteed settlement mechanisms. However, exchanges will need prior approval from the RBI before launching any such product, including approval for contract design, eligible participants, and other related features.
The new rules also permit FPIs to participate in credit index futures trading, but with certain safeguards to prevent excessive speculation. FPIs will not be allowed to build large short positions or trade credit index futures linked to very short-term debt instruments. The RBI’s move is expected to improve risk management options for financial institutions, increase market depth, and support the development of a more advanced credit derivatives market in India.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Indian IT services companies are generating an estimated 10 to 12 billion dollars in AI revenue, with nearly 25 percent successfully moving AI projects into production, Nasscom said. The industry body stated that AI will not reduce the importance of IT services but will increase demand for areas like data management, cybersecurity, AI governance and digital transformation. More than 2 million professionals in India are AI skilled, and around 85 percent of tech service providers now have agentic AI platforms. Nasscom expects Agentic AI to create a 300 to 400 billion dollar opportunity for the technology services sector by 2030. The industry is expected to focus more on platforms, specialised solutions and outcome based services rather than only workforce growth.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy return after a brief pause with a new episode exploring the shifting negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war, and why Donald Trump says the responsibility for reaching a deal now rests with his vice-president. Jonathan also examines the latest Kennedy family member entering the political arena, questioning whether voters are losing interest in political dynasties. He also looks at whether Trump’s planned reflection pool will be completed before the 4 July celebrations.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As AI continues to evolve, cyber risks are becoming a major business challenge rather than just a technical problem. The Five Eyes alliance warns that advanced AI models could transform the cyber threat landscape faster than anticipated. With AI being used for both attacks and defense, the question remains: who is ahead in this new automated cyber battle? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore this with Jayant Dave, Chief Information Security Officer at Check Point Software Technologies.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
A decade after the Brexit referendum, the United Kingdom is again facing a leadership transition, with the departure of Prime Minister Keir Starmer set to bring the country its seventh prime minister in just over 10 years. This frequent turnover reflects the ongoing political instability linked to the long-term effects of the Brexit. As nominations open on 9 July and a new prime minister is expected by September, analysts are examining what this latest leadership crisis reveals about Brexit’s lasting impact on British politics and governance, including insights from political analyst Alexander Hilton of Skystamper.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Keir Starmer has revealed that he will step down as prime minister less than two years after securing an election win, setting off a contest to choose the next Labour leader. As Labour MPs grow increasingly concerned about the rising influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform party, attention has turned to Andy Burnham, the politician nicknamed the “King of the North.” His strong performance in a local by-election last weekend has fuelled speculation that he could be a future occupant of No. 10. Reged Ahmad speaks with North of England editor Josh Halliday about Burnham’s growing political momentum, why he is being viewed as a potential next British prime minister, and why the coming week could shape the future direction of UK politics.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
