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Analytical company Gartner has presented an alarming forecast for the global electronics market: in 2026, PC shipments will decrease by 10.4%, and smartphones by 8.4% compared to the previous year. The main reason is the rapid rise in component prices.

According to expert estimates, the cost of DRAM and solid-state drives will jump by another 130% by the end of the year, leading to a 17% increase in computer prices and a 13% increase in mobile device prices.

As noted by Gartner's Senior Director Ranjit Atwal, the market is facing its most serious decline in the last decade. Buyers will be forced to use old devices longer, which will fundamentally change technology upgrade cycles. The lifespan of business PCs will increase by 15%, and for private users by 20%, creating additional risks in terms of security and maintenance of an aging fleet of devices.

The situation will be particularly dramatic for the budget segment. The share of memory in a computer's cost will increase from 16% to 23%, making the production of inexpensive models economically unviable. According to analysts' forecasts, by 2028, the category of PCs cheaper than $500 will completely disappear from the market. Buyers of basic smartphones will leave the market five times faster than owners of premium devices, switching to used models or postponing upgrades.

Analysts warn manufacturers that the critical window for price optimization opens in the first half of 2026. In the second quarter, component inflation will begin to squeeze margins, and companies will have to choose between preserving profits and fighting for price-sensitive buyers.