{
  "id": 11111666,
  "title": "Huawei predicts more smartphone price hikes due to memory crunch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/huawei-predicts-more-smartphone-price-hikes-due-to-memory-crunch-11111666",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/01/huawei-predicts-more-smartphone-price-hikes-due-to-memory-crunch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Huawei anticipates increasing smartphone prices due to a memory shortage, according to the company's consumer business chief Richard Yu. The Chinese tech giant's net income dropped by 36% in the first half of the year, partly attributed to a 36% increase in raw material costs. Yu revealed that average smartphone costs have risen by around US$200, with Huawei expecting to raise prices gradually to offset these costs. The memory crunch could benefit Huawei by pushing customers towards mid- and high-end devices, where the company excels. Counterpoint Research estimates that 230 million smartphones priced under US$200 will disappear by the end of the decade, forcing brands like Apple and Xiaomi to move up the price ladder. While global smartphone and electronics firms face pressure from rising component costs due to AI expansion, Huawei remains confident in its ability to innovate. Despite a soft consumer demand in China, smartphone sales have declined for three consecutive months, with domestic rivals Xiaomi and Oppo raising prices this year. Huawei's foldable phones and strong market presence in markets outside China, such as the Middle East and Europe, are contributing to its growth, despite US sanctions limiting access to essential technology components.",
  "summary": "Global electronics brands have seen their margins come under pressure as an unprecedented AI buildout pushes up costs for various components.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Huawei predicts more smartphone price hikes due to memory crunch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/huawei-predicts-more-smartphone-price-hikes-due-to-memory-crunch",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:44:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}