A new leak suggests that some smartphone makers might be circling back to features that, until recently, felt like they were on their way out.
According to a post by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, several older hardware choices could be making a return in upcoming devices. And the list is oddly specific.
DCS says future phones could feature a top configuration of just 8GB of RAM paired with 512GB of storage, along with 90Hz waterdrop-notch displays, support for SIM plus microSD cards, and even plastic frames paired with short-focus (optical) fingerprint sensors.
Rising global smartphone prices could be behind the shift
As you might expect, none of this sounds particularly exciting for 2026. In fact, much of the industry has been moving in the opposite direction. Toward higher refresh rates, punch-hole or under-display cameras, metal or glass builds, and the gradual disappearance of expandable storage.
The return of these more conventional features could be tied to rising component costs, particularly for memory and storage. Several Chinese brands like OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and iQOO have already nudged prices upward for their budget devices. Meanwhile, Samsung has also increased smartphone prices in markets like India.
Samsung Galaxy A07 5G
And while prices are rising, consumers’ willingness — or ability — to spend more on phones might not be increasing at the same pace. As a result, manufacturers could be looking for ways to keep retail prices in check, even if that means leaning on older hardware and design choices.
What makes this leak interesting isn’t any single feature. It’s the combination. A return to waterdrop notches, expandable storage, and plastic builds suggests manufacturers may be re-evaluating what they can realistically deliver as smartphone prices continue to climb globally.
These decisions help reduce costs, but they also bring back some practical perks, like storage flexibility, that many users still appreciate.
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