Prediction: Apple will make 8gb work for MacOS
I predict that apple will immediately start focusing on making sure that users with 8gb have a pleasant experience with MacOS. They have already stated their next MacOS release will be focused on optimization. I have a hard time believing they would sell an 8gb MacBook in 2026 without the intention of it being usable for at least 5 years.
The cost of RAM, the shortage of supply, it only matters if your OS is hungry for it. If you can reduce the requirements such that less RAM will work, you can save yourselves (and by extension your customers) a lot of money.