Xiaomi Raises Redmi K90 Prices Amid Memory Chip Shortage Driven by AI Boom
Xiaomi has increased pricing for its new Redmi K90 smartphone series, citing unprecedented cost pressures from soaring memory chip prices. The base model now starts at 2,599 yuan ($364), a 100 yuan hike from its predecessor, sparking immediate consumer backlash.
Company president Lu Weibing acknowledged the inflationary pressure on Weibo, warning that memory chip costs have surged beyond expectations due to AI-driven demand. The tech giant offered temporary discounts on higher storage configurations to mitigate customer frustration, cutting 300 yuan from the 512GB model's price for the first month.
The global semiconductor market faces severe constraints as AI infrastructure demands drain supplies of NAND and DRAM chips—critical components for both smartphones and computing hardware. This shortage reflects broader supply chain disruptions across the tech industry.
