Chinese Smartphone Brands Turn to Recycled DRAM as Memory Prices Surge

Some Chinese smartphone brands are expanding their use of DRAM salvaged from dismantled devices, with plans to adopt second-hand chips aged 5 to 6 years across entry-level models, tech outlet Wccftech reported. The move aims to cut production costs and sustain shipment volumes as AI-driven demand tightens memory supply. The recycling process involves removing chips from old devices, testing them, and re-soldering them onto new circuit boards. The report did not name the brands involved, the affected models, or the scale of adoption. Earlier this summer, LPDDR price spikes and supply bottlenecks forced some Chinese handset makers to slash production targets; recycled DRAM has since helped offset those cuts. Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market has developed a dedicated supply chain for recovering DRAM from e-waste. Meanwhile, PC makers including Lenovo, HP and Dell have locked in memory supply agreements through 2027, leaving phone makers without pre-secured inventory exposed to spot-market volatility.