Rising costs for RAM and components are putting pressure on smartphone makers in 2026, but storage is one area seeing improvement. According to TrendForce, average smartphone storage is expected to grow by 4.8% this year.
This increase is driven by the phase-out of low-capacity models and growing demand for on-device AI, which can require 40–60GB of storage. Major brands like Apple and Huawei are already boosting capacities – for example, the iPhone 17 now starts at 256GB, while Huawei’s Mate 80 series offers up to 512GB. Similarly, Samsung has moved to 256GB base storage with the Galaxy S26.
Budget brands are also shifting toward 128GB and 256GB models, as lower-capacity options become less profitable. Looking ahead, 128GB storage may largely disappear from mainstream Android flagships by the end of 2026, with 256GB becoming the new standard.
Source: Android Authority
