Top Android phone makers are prepping for a potential RAM upgrade to 24GB for their 2026 flagships. This move is driven by the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipsets, expected to launch in September 2025. These new processors promise to double AI performance compared to current flagships, sparking a reconsideration of higher RAM capacities.
Last year, the idea of 24GB RAM was put on hold due to high memory chip costs and limited consumer demand. Most 2025 flagships max out at 16GB RAM as a result. However, recent Geekbench tests show Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 achieving over 4,000 single-core and 11,000 multi-core scores, rivaling Dimensity 9500’s performance.
AI-Driven Hardware Advancements
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to support AI processing up to 100 TOPS, likely matching the Dimensity 9500. This leap in AI capability is prompting manufacturers to reassess their RAM and storage configurations. Digital Chat Station, a Chinese tipster, suggests that five major smartphone brands are developing premium flagships with up to 24GB RAM and 1TB storage for 2026.
Potential Price Implications
With these hardware upgrades, 2026 flagships are likely to come with a higher price tag than their 2025 counterparts. The increased cost will be driven by the advanced chipsets, higher RAM, and larger storage capacities. As the industry moves towards more powerful AI-driven devices, consumers can expect top-tier smartphones to become even more expensive.