Memory is getting more expensive, and this has already started to affect the smartphone market. Different companies are reacting in different ways. Some are raising prices, while others are simply canceling the release of new models. That’s exactly what Nothing did, canceling the budget CMF Phone 3 Pro in 2026. The reason isn’t poor sales or a strategy shift, but specifically the shortage and rising cost of RAM chips, which prevent the company from building an affordable smartphone without inflating the price. This is the first notable case where a manufacturer directly cites rising memory prices as the reason for canceling a specific model — and it likely won’t be the last.
CMF Phone 3 Pro is canceled. Who’s next?
Why Nothing Canceled the CMF Phone 3 Pro
According to Nothing’s management, at current memory prices, the company cannot create a device that would feel like a step forward from the previous generation while maintaining the price point typical for the CMF lineup. Simply put, the choice was between “expensive” and “no improvements” — and Nothing decided not to release the smartphone at all.
The CMF lineup is Nothing’s sub-brand for affordable devices. Previous models were significantly cheaper than the company’s main phones: CMF Phone 1 launched in summer 2024 starting at 239 euros (approximately 26,000 ₽ in Russia), and CMF Phone 2 Pro came out in spring 2025 for 259 euros (approximately 28,000 ₽ in Russia). The main selling point of CMF is the low price, and that’s exactly what they can’t maintain right now.
CMF Phone — a great budget lineup. It would be a shame to lose it
What’s Wrong with Memory Prices in 2026
The root of the problem is rising prices for RAM and internal storage. Demand for chips from the artificial intelligence industry has grown so much that manufacturing capacity is no longer enough for everyone, and smartphone memory has started getting more expensive.
For expensive flagships, this isn’t critical: memory is just one part of a large price tag. But for budget models, where every dollar counts, rising component costs hit especially hard. Cheap smartphones are the first to suffer because they have almost no margin buffer to absorb the increase in production costs.
It’s important to understand: for now, these are the words of one executive about one specific model. But the logic applies to the entire industry, so the cancellation of CMF Phone 3 Pro is more of a symptom than a one-off decision.
Who Is Affected by Rising Memory Prices for Smartphones and Should You Panic
If you were eyeing the CMF Phone 3 Pro specifically, there will be no lineup update in 2026. That said, Nothing promises to release other new products under the CMF brand, including in new device categories — but the company hasn’t provided any details or timelines.
Who should pay attention to this news:
- Those who were planning to buy a new budget CMF and were waiting specifically for the third generation
- Those who are generally looking for an affordable smartphone in 2026 — prices on budget models may increase
- Those who are putting off an upgrade and thinking about whether to wait “just a little longer”
Everyone else shouldn’t panic yet: the already released CMF Phone 2 Pro, earbuds, and watches from the brand are still available and continue to sell.
Should You Buy a New Smartphone Right Now
If you need an affordable smartphone and not specifically a CMF, there’s no real point in waiting. Components are unlikely to get cheaper in the coming months, and the selection of current budget models is still wide.
A few practical steps:
- Decide whether the CMF brand specifically matters to you or if you just need any good affordable phone — in the latter case, there are plenty of alternatives.
- If you’ve already found a suitable model in stock, don’t wait for the “perfect moment” with price drops — it may never come.
- When choosing, pay attention to memory capacity: overpaying for extra gigabytes “for the future” is especially unwise right now — buy for your actual needs.
Let’s hope they at least don’t cancel the new watches and earbuds
The cancellation of CMF Phone 3 Pro is not a failure for Nothing, but the first loud signal about rising budget smartphone prices. Memory is getting more expensive, and affordable models are the first to be hit: either the price goes up, or the manufacturer drops the release altogether. If you’re planning to buy an affordable phone, it’s wiser to do it now while the selection is wide and prices haven’t yet caught up with the new reality.
