A Counterpoint Research report predicts that in 2026, smartphone prices will rise by up to 6.9% due to surging memory costs, while shipments decline by 2.1%. This increase in costs is likely to lead manufacturers to cut features like RAM and reduce the availability of budget options, making new phones more expensive and less feature-rich, which may impact consumers' upgrade plans.
Boeing has reported a loss of $482 million in the third quarter on the construction of two new Air Force One planes, bringing the total losses to over $2 billion. The company attributed the losses to higher manufacturing costs, engineering changes, labor instability, and negotiations with suppliers. The delivery date for the planes has been pushed back by another two years to 2026. Former President Donald Trump was personally involved in the negotiations and threatened to cancel the contract, ultimately signing a fixed-price agreement that holds Boeing responsible for any cost overruns. The total cost of the project is now estimated to be over $5 billion.
The new Pixel 8 Pro does not have a curved screen, marking a departure from its predecessors. Google has chosen a fully flat screen design, aligning with flagship devices from Apple and Samsung. While the company hasn't emphasized this change, it could be a response to consumer preferences and practical considerations such as accidental touch input and potential damage. The decision between curved and flat screens involves factors like manufacturing costs and market demand.
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng plans to cut 25% off the costs of its power train, battery cells included, and save 50% on intelligent driving features by the end of 2024, according to co-president Brian Gu. The company is also betting on a new design and manufacturing architecture, SEPA2.0, to boost efficiency and reduce costs. Xpeng will introduce its first model developed on the new platform, a mid-sized sports utility vehicle to rival the Tesla Model Y, when the Shanghai International Auto Show opens to the media on April 18.
Apple is potentially planning to increase the price of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max due to increasing manufacturing costs and inflation. The 'Pro' handsets are rumored to come with a titanium finish, solid-state button layout, and upgraded camera system, which will further increase the price of the device. The final word rests with Apple, but speculations suggest a price increase of at least $50 on both models. It is not yet known if the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will also see a price increase.
