Chinese smartphone manufacturers utilize recycled memory chips

Some Chinese smartphone manufacturers have begun incorporating recycled DRAM memory chips into budget-friendly mobile devices to combat chip shortages and maintain low price points. According to reports citing Counterpoint Research, these chips are extracted from older electronics, cleaned, and tested before being reused in new hardware.

This practice aims to reduce dependency on new memory supplies and stabilize production for affordable models. While some manufacturers may consider using recycled DRAM exclusively for certain low-cost phones, the long-term reliability of these components remains an open question, as testing does not necessarily predict the total lifespan of the chip within a new device.