Chinese smartphone manufacturers are now recycling DRAM from devices up to six years old to power newer base models. This process involves separating, testing, and re-soldering old memory modules onto new circuit boards to maintain production schedules.
The initiative has helped these OEMs meet production targets that were previously reduced earlier this summer. While a dedicated recycling market exists in , , global firms like are also adapting old DDR4 modules for new AI servers.
Memory costs remain a critical factor as a square millimeter of older 1b DRAM is currently more expensive than a N2 wafer of the same size. Major players like , HP, and Dell are securing long-term supply agreements with vendors through 2027.