Old RAM in new phones: China reportedly recycles up to 6 year old memory chips

Recycling is generally a good thing, which is probably why ChatGPT also emphasizes its positive aspects when asked to generate a suitable image on the topic. The problem with reusing old DRAM chips, of course, is how long these recycled chips will last. They are apparently being desoldered from old products such as phones, PCs and servers and reused in new smartphones more often these days. According to reports from South Korea, including ChosunBiz an entire industry is now emerging, particularly in China, with manufacturers of cheaper smartphones making extensive use of its services.

No names are given. The reports also do not address whether the top five manufacturers with an international presence, namely Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo, are among them. For now, the phenomenon seems to primarily affect entry-level smartphones. According to market research firms such as Counterpoint, some Chinese manufacturers have now raised their sales targets again after sharply reducing them in the spring. The increased use of recycled DRAM modules is cited as the main reason for this otherwise positive development.

As long as the shortage in the LPDDR market persists as production prioritizes profitable high-bandwidth memory (HMB) chips for data centers, recycling is likely to become an increasingly attractive alternative for manufacturers. According to analysts, even old DDR4 memory could soon be reused. DRAM chips that have already been used for five to six years are reportedly being brought back into service for another five to six years, although this can lead to more memory errors. The issue of proper declaration of this practise is not addressed. Anyone buying a new product does not expect it to contain components that have been used for years, but in some markets this may be of secondary concern as long as the price is right.