Oppo and Vivo would refuse Samsung's Q3 memory rates: the HBM/DRAM squeeze turns into an arm wrestle

According to TechNode, Oppo and Vivo reportedly declined Samsung Electronics' price offer for Q3 2026 - the memory capex race is spilling over into client-to-client negotiations.

The fact

TechNode reports on July 23, 2026, that Oppo and Vivo would have declined Samsung Electronics' pricing offer for Q3 2026 memory. No amount is published in the report, but the nature of the news is clear: two major Chinese smartphone customers do not accept the proposed pricing.

Our analysis

This commercial disagreement is a thermometer. The race for memory capex (HBM first, DRAM next) driven by AI demand has allowed Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron to maintain high prices across the chain. The logical backlash is coming from non-AI customers: smartphone manufacturers do not have the same value equation as hyperscalers to absorb these increases. Seeing Oppo and Vivo block on Q3 pricing signals that the balance point has shifted, and a tough negotiation is underway - with the option of purchase delay, reduction of DRAM specs per device, or switching to other suppliers.

To watch

• Samsung's reaction (targeted reduction or allocation to HBM).
• Possible delay in Chinese smartphone roadmaps for Q4.
• Cascade effect on SK Hynix and Micron.