Memory prices are soaring, and RISC-V IoT devices are starting to look like the smarter bet

RISC-V used to appeal mostly on principle: open-source design, no licensing fees, and an escape from ARM’s royalties. For many IoT teams locked into existing suppliers, that wasn’t enough to justify a shift.

In 2026, rising memory prices are forcing a more practical rethink. As memory becomes a larger share of bill-of-materials costs, the ability to run leaner software stacks and tailor hardware around open RISC-V cores starts to matter more than brand familiarity. What was once an ideological preference is turning into a financial decision, pushing RISC-V higher on the shortlist for new IoT designs.