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AI boom could erase 230 million budget smartphones a year
Original: # AI could wipe out low-cost smartphones: https://www. theregister.com/personal-tech/ 2026/09/24/ai-boom-could-wipe-230-
The Register reports that the AI boom could remove around 230 million low-cost smartphones from the market each year. Rising memory and chip costs driven by demand for AI hardware are expected to push up prices, squeezing out budget handset makers and making cheap phones harder to produce. The claim is drawing attention among technology watchers concerned about affordability.
Why now: Concerns that AI-driven component demand will raise prices and eliminate affordable smartphones are resonating with consumers and industry observers.
The Registerbudget smartphone makers
Evidence
- # AI could wipe out low-cost smartphones: https://www. theregister.com/personal-tech/ 2026/09/24/ai-boom-could-wipe-230-million-budget-phones-a-year-from-the-market/5298906 # ArtificialIntelligence · DrMikeWatts@newsmast.social
API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/434773