RAM Shortage Causes Poorer Audio Quality in New Phones!

Your new phone sounds different than you expected. Not because your ears are playing tricks on you, but because manufacturers are having to make different choices due to the global chip shortage. The RAM shortage, which we’ve been seeing reflected in higher phone prices for some time now, is also turning out to have an impact on something you notice right away: your device’s sound quality.

In this blog, we’ll discuss:

1. What’s going on with the RAM shortage and audio?
2. Why is sound quality the one thing taking a hit?
3. How does this affect you as a user?
4. What does this mean for your next phone purchase?
5. How can you make the most of an older phone?

What’s going on with RAM shortages and audio?

A global shortage of memory chips, caused by massive demand from the AI industry, is forcing phone manufacturers to make difficult choices regarding their hardware. According to Androidworld, manufacturers are therefore cutting costs on components that aren’t immediately noticeable, such as the audio chips responsible for sound quality. RAM (working memory, which ensures your apps run smoothly) is becoming scarcer and more expensive, so savings have to be made elsewhere. Audio appears to be one of the first areas where cuts are being made.

It’s the same chip crisis we saw earlier with the rising prices of new phones, but with a different impact. It’s not just your wallet that’s taking a hit—your listening experience is suffering, too.

Why is sound quality the one thing taking the hit?

For manufacturers, it’s relatively easy to cut corners on audio components without it immediately standing out in reviews or spec sheets. A processor or screen resolution sells a phone; an audio chip doesn’t. Manufacturers are therefore more likely to opt for a cheaper DAC (digital-to-analog converter—the chip that converts digital music into the sound you hear) than for a slower processor.

That doesn’t mean your phone won’t produce any sound at all. It’s about nuances: less dynamic range, a slightly flatter sound experience with music or calls. For most people who listen through headphones or earbuds, the difference is probably not that noticeable. Those who are sensitive to sound quality—such as audiophiles or people who frequently make calls using the speakerphone—are more likely to notice the difference.

What will you notice as a user?

As a user, you’ll notice a decrease in sound quality, especially when listening through the built-in speaker or during audio-intensive activities such as streaming music or video calls. The sound may seem slightly flatter or less rich than what you’re used to from previous models. For regular phone calls or hearing a notification, it makes little difference.

Important to know: this is not a defect or a malfunction. Your phone is simply working as intended; however, the design itself has been scaled back slightly due to the chip shortage. So nothing is broken, and you don’t need to worry that you’ve bought a defective unit.

What does this mean for your next phone purchase?

If you’re looking for a new phone, it’s a good idea to check out reviews that specifically test audio quality, especially if sound is important to you. Manufacturers aren’t quick to mention downgraded audio chips, so you’re more likely to find that information on independent tech sites than in marketing copy.

There’s another side to this story: you don’t necessarily have to buy a new phone to get around this problem. Have your current phone repaired instead of replacing it. A new battery or screen repair costs a fraction of the price of a new device and will give your phone years of extra life, without compromising the audio quality you’re already used to.

Still unsure whether to repair your phone or buy a new one? Check out the repair options at thephonelab.nl/reparaties and see the costs at thephonelab.nl/prijzen before you buy a new phone that might actually have inferior sound quality.

How can you make the most of an older phone?

Repairing an older phone is often a smarter choice than upgrading, especially now that new models are becoming more expensive due to the RAM shortage and are falling short in areas like audio quality. Here are a few concrete steps to take:

• Replace your battery if your phone’s battery life has decreased: this will resolve most “slow phone” issues.
• Have a cracked screen repaired instead of replacing the entire phone.
• If in doubt, check the repair costs first before considering a new device.
• Don’t sell your old phone until you’re sure you really need a new one—sell it through thephonelab.nl/verkopen.

Our own repair data shows that screen repairs accounted for about 59 percent of our repairs over the past year, and battery replacements for about 18 percent. This shows that most people are perfectly happy to keep their phones running for years with a targeted repair, rather than buying a new model that might actually compromise audio quality. Our specialist Freek, who has been working at ThePhoneLab since 2016 and has held various roles there over the years, sees every day how a simple battery or screen repair can make a phone feel like new again. As an Independent Repair Provider, ThePhoneLab specializes in repairs using original parts for brands such as Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and OPPO, and offers a lifetime warranty on the repairs performed.

About ThePhoneLab

For over ten years, ThePhoneLab has been repairing phones, tablets, and laptops every day throughout the Netherlands. Every repair starts with an honest diagnosis—no cure, no pay—and then you choose what works best for you: original parts or a more affordable alternative from our own brand, for every budget. Because repairing is almost always smarter than replacing—for your wallet and for the planet. It’s no surprise that customers give us a 9.5 rating in tens of thousands of reviews.

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