The RAM and SSD price nightmare is here to stay for a while, and it is causing the most alarming problems already.

A reported memory supply crunch could reshape smartphone configurations as early as next year, with 16GB RAM phones expected to become far less common and budget models with 4GB RAM appearing more often.

According to the source, 16GB RAM handsets will soon become a luxury because of the limited memory supply.

The market has already seen some flagships launch at higher prices than their predecessors, and the report adds that Samsung plans to increase prices for its mid-range lineup in India.

The report also says higher prices will not be the go-to response in every region. In price-sensitive markets, manufacturers are expected to cut costs instead of raising prices. The source believes this will make 4GB RAM phones much more common, while 16GB devices become a rarity.

It also cites specific figures on how product mixes may shift. The source claims 12GB RAM variants will be reduced by 40%, with 6GB and 8GB phones taking their place.

The report ties these changes to growing demand from rapidly expanding AI datacenters, which are consuming more high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips and GDDR5 DRAM chips.

Oppo has officially introduced the Reno 15c in China, following the device’s initial teaser during the launch of the Reno 15 and Reno 15 Pro in November. Despite being the C model, it nearly catches up with its Reno 15 and 15 Pro brethren in terms of specs, except for a few minor sacrifices.

Here are the details.

Design and Display

The Oppo Reno 15c features a flat 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2760×1256-pixel resolution. The panel is rated to reach a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, and the phone includes an in-display optical fingerprint scanner.

It measures 7.89mm in thickness, weighs 197g, and offers up to an IP69 rating for water and dust resistance. The Oppo Reno 15c will be arriving in Aurora Blue, College Blue, and Starlight Bow color options

Internals and Software

Powering the Reno 15c is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. On the software side, it runs Android 16-based ColorOS 16 and includes a couple of AI features. Other specifications include dual-band Wi‑Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, an IR blaster, and stereo speakers.

Cameras

On the rear, the Reno 15c features a triple-camera setup made up of a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main wide sensor, a 50MP Samsung JN5 periscope telephoto unit with 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide camera. For selfies, it also offers a 50MP front sensor.

Battery and Pricing

The handset packs a 6,500 mAh battery with support for up to 80W fast charging. In terms of pricing, the 12GB/256GB variant costs $410, while the 12GB/512GB model is priced at $450.

Oppo Reno 15c Specifications

Pakistan’s mobile industry recorded an average annual revenue growth of 9% over the past five years, according to a document released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). This growth was achieved despite high inflation and rising operational costs across the economy.

Operator-wise figures show that Jazz and Ufone each posted 11% average revenue growth, Zong recorded 12%, while Telenor lagged behind at 3%. During the same period, average inflation stood at 17%, showcasing value erosion in the sector as industry growth failed to keep pace with rising prices and a challenging macroeconomic environment.

In a written reply submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, the PTA outlined its legal mandate to regulate telecom tariffs under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996. The authority stated that it is empowered to determine operators with Significant Market Power (SMP) and regulate their tariffs to ensure competition and protect consumer rights.

PTA clarified that Jazz has been declared an SMP operator in the retail mobile telecom market and is required to seek prior approval before implementing any tariff changes. Telenor, Ufone, and Zong, categorized as non-SMP operators, may revise tariffs based on their business decisions, although the regulator retains the authority to intervene if consumer interests are negatively impacted.

The PTA has also notified the Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025, and continues to cross-verify approved tariffs with publicly available information to ensure transparency and compliance.

The regulator attributed recent tariff increases to worsening economic conditions. It noted that between March 2021 and May 2024, fuel prices surged by 158%, inflation rose by 83%, and the Pakistani rupee depreciated by 44% against the US dollar. During the same period, the policy rate increased by 214%, significantly raising financing costs for telecom operators and adding pressure on service pricing.

PTA data further shows that Pakistan continues to offer some of the lowest mobile data prices both regionally and globally, with the cost of 1GB among the cheapest worldwide.

However, the mobile sector operates with one of the lowest Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) levels in the region, standing at around USD 1.12 in early 2025. The authority noted that intense competition and low ARPUs limit pricing flexibility, even as regulatory oversight remains in place to protect consumer rights through complaint management systems and enforcement actions.