Rising RAM Prices Force Cancellation of Budget Phone Launches
The mobile industry is facing a challenging climate, particularly for budget phones. With escalating RAM prices, manufacturers are struggling to deliver affordable options that meet consumer expectations. Recently, Nothing announced that it will not release its anticipated CMF Phone this year, marking a significant impact on the budget phone market.
Nothing's Budget Phone on Hold
We had plans for a successor to our CMF Phone 2 Pro. However, due to the current state of memory pricing, we cannot produce a phone that delivers a meaningful upgrade while remaining affordable for CMF. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision not to launch a new CMF phone this year.
— Akis Evangelidis, co-founder of Nothing, June 19, 2026
Implications for Budget Phone Buyers
This situation should raise alarms for all consumers seeking value in budget smartphones. With Nothing's absence, shoppers now have one less option to consider when looking at competitors like the Pixel A-series and Samsung Galaxy A series. Unfortunately, the influence of rising RAM prices is likely to be felt across the entire market.
What's Next and Alternatives to Consider
As budget phones operate on slim profit margins, they tend to be more susceptible to market changes. If you're in the market for a new device, you may want to explore options that slightly exceed your budget range.
