Once-Popular Phones Set to Become Hard to Find, Need to Switch to New Models

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A memory crisis resulting from AI is predicted to affect the 128GB storage capacity in mobile phones. Smartphones are likely to see an increase in storage capacity throughout this year.

A Trendforce report states that the average smartphone storage capacity will rise by 4.8% in 2026. Production of low-capacity models is likely to be discontinued.

“Growth is driven by the cessation of low-capacity model production, along with improvements in NAND manufacturers’ processes and rising AI demand in flagship smartphones from leading brands,” said Trendforce, quoted from Android Authority, Friday (27/3/2026).

The same report notes that several high-end phone brands such as Huawei and Apple have increased their storage capacities. This occurs as manufacturers also expand their respective local AI capabilities.

Local AI models, according to Trendforce, require 40-60 GB of storage for processing.

Apple has implemented this on the iPhone 17 with a base storage of 256GB, while the Huawei Mate 80 promotes 512GB storage. The Galaxy S26 also adopts 256GB storage after previously offering 128GB as the cheapest option.

A similar trend is occurring in budget phones. Manufacturers are likely to discontinue or reduce low-capacity models and focus on 128GB or 256GB storage.

Trendforce specifically mentions that Android phones will be dominated by the new 256GB standard. Meanwhile, 128GB capacity will gradually disappear.

“As the AI application ecosystem matures, 128GB storage capacity is likely to gradually vanish from Android smartphones by the end of 2026, with 256GB emerging as the new standard,” explained Trendforce.