TL;DR: “RAMageddon” To Make iPhones Way More Expensive Later This Year…

Apple has confirmed significant price hikes across its Mac and iPad lines, with memory costs up nearly 100% in early 2026 thanks to AI chip demand sucking up global supply. iPhones are safe for now, but the direction of travel is clear. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about buying refurbished, now’s the time to make the switch.

Apple has raised MacBook and iPad prices by up to $200/£200 due to a global memory chip shortage driven by AI data centre demand.
iPhones haven’t been hit yet, but analysts expect pressure to reach the handset market before the end of 2026.
A refurbished iPhone 15 256GB gives you the same chip, the same iOS update track, and the same camera, for a fraction of what Apple is now charging for new hardware.
The best refurbished iPhones are already selling fast. Prices only go one direction when supply tightens.

What Apple Actually Said (And What It Means for You)

Apple confirmed the price increases on Thursday, pointing directly at the rising cost of memory and storage chips. The MacBook Air with 512GB storage jumped from $1,099 to $1,299. The iPad Air with 128GB went from $599 to $749. The entry-level MacBook Neo, which launched in March, has already lost its $100 price advantage over Dell’s competing XPS 13.

The culprit is a phenomenon some analysts are calling “RAMageddon.” Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) prices rose by as much as 98% in Q1 2026 alone, reports claim, driven by AI companies like Nvidia locking up long-term supply deals with manufacturers like Micron. That leaves everyone else, including Apple, scrambling for what’s left at elevated prices.

Apple’s own CEO, Tim Cook, warned analysts in late April that memory costs would “drive an increasing impact” on the business beyond June. The company was blunt: “We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly.”

iPhones aren’t in the firing line right now. But the same memory chips that go into MacBooks go into iPhones. Research firm IDC is already forecasting the biggest-ever annual decline in smartphone sales, nearly 14%, for 2026. When supply gets tight and margins get squeezed, prices move up.

Did You Know? DRAM prices rose nearly 98% in Q1 2026 according to industry tracker TrendForce, with a further 58–63% increase forecast for Q2. Apple described the speed of the increase as unprecedented in the company’s history.

Why a Refurbished iPhone Is the Smartest Buy Right Now

A refurbished iPhone is a pre-owned device that has been inspected, tested, and restored to working order, usually graded by cosmetic condition. You get the same Apple silicon, the same camera hardware, the same iOS update eligibility. The only thing you’re not paying for is the retail markup on new stock, which Apple just made a lot bigger.

A new iPhone 15 at launch sat around $799. A refurbished iPhone 15 256GB unlocked is available right now through our vetted refurbished phone database for considerably less (upwards of 50% in some cases), and you get the same A16 Bionic chip, the same 48MP main camera, and the same software support runway.

If Apple does extend its price hikes to iPhones later this year, that gap closes fast. The refurbished stock that exists today was priced before the memory crisis fully hit. You’re essentially buying ahead of the inflation curve.

The iOS Support Argument Gets Even Stronger

Here’s the thing most buying guides won’t tell you. The real value of a refurbished iPhone isn’t just the upfront saving. It’s the years of software support you get alongside it.

Apple has consistently supported its devices for six or more years from launch. The iPhone 15, released in 2023, will realistically see iOS updates through to 2029 at minimum. That’s four or five more years of security patches, new features, and app compatibility from a device you can buy refurbished today for a fraction of its launch price. We’ve covered iOS update lifespan in detail here if you want the full breakdown by model.

When you factor that support window into the cost, the price-per-usable-year on a refurbished iPhone 15 is genuinely hard to argue with, especially now that new Apple hardware is getting more expensive.

Tech Tip: Before you buy any refurbished iPhone, ask for the battery health percentage. Apple’s Settings app shows this under Battery. Anything at 85% or above is solid for daily use. Below 80% and you’ll notice degradation, especially if you’re a heavy user. Any reputable seller should disclose this upfront.

Which Refurbished iPhone Should You Buy Right Now?

For most people, the answer is the iPhone 15 256GB unlocked. It’s the current sweet spot: recent enough to have a long update runway, mainstream enough that refurbished stock is plentiful, and priced well below Apple’s now-inflated new hardware.

If you want to stretch further up the range, the iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB remains one of the best cameras you can get on a refurbished handset. The ProMotion display, the 48MP sensor, and the A16 Bionic chip still hold up against anything short of the very latest flagships.

Going budget? The iPhone 13 Pro Max is our absolute floor recommendation. Still gets current iOS updates, still shoots excellent video, and available at prices that look increasingly good against a market where new Apple hardware keeps getting pricier. Don’t go older than iPhone 13 though; older models are approaching the end of their update support windows, and that’s a real cost over time.

Not sure which model fits your needs? Our full guide to the best refurbished phones covers every tier across Apple, Google, and Samsung, with honest takes on where each sits right now.

What About Memory and Storage? Does the Shortage Change Anything?

The memory shortage is driving up the cost of new chips. Refurbished iPhones already have their storage and RAM installed. The NAND flash inside a refurbished iPhone 15 isn’t affected by what Micron is charging Nvidia today. You’re buying a finished product, not a component.

The one area to watch is storage tier. The shortage makes it even more sensible to buy 256GB over 128GB if you have the option. Not because 128GB is broken, but because if new 256GB models get more expensive at retail, the price gap between refurbished 128GB and refurbished 256GB becomes even better value. We always recommend buying up a storage tier where you can; 256GB is the sweet spot that future-proofs your purchase.

Apple’s price rises are a genuine shift, not a blip. The memory market is being reshaped by AI infrastructure demand, and that pressure isn’t going away. iPhones have been protected so far, but the economics suggest that won’t hold indefinitely. Buying a refurbished iPhone now means locking in today’s pricing before any further market moves, while still getting full iOS support, Apple’s best-in-class camera hardware, and a device that will last you years.

Pro Tip: If you’re buying a refurbished iPhone this week, go for 256GB minimum and check the battery health before committing. You want 85%+ for a device that’ll still feel strong two years from now. The refurbished market is moving fast right now; check our latest refurbished phone deals for current availability.

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