In a fresh development, this doesn't affect our editorial independence. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission.
In a fresh development, it’s why laptops, PCs, flash drives, SSDs, routers, and smartphones are spiking in price. Everything is still getting more expensive thanks to the ongoing AI-driven memory and shortage crisis.
As part of the ongoing story, kim Jaejune, Executive Vice President of Samsung’s memory chip division, recently explained at an analyst conference that the shortage is expected to continue all the way through 2026 and well into 2027—in fact, the supply difficulties are even predicted to persist until 2028. And it doesn’t look like the situation will be any better next year.
Industry observers note that existing orders are being carried over into next year, which is likely to exacerbate the already tense situation. As a result, prices could soar even higher, if not remain at a similarly high level. The increased demand, primarily driven by the push for more AI data centers that need tons of RAM and GPUs, has largely gone unmet this year.
According to the latest update, only when those agreements expire can sufficient capacity open up for fresh orders. The growing interest in AI data centers, which drink down RAM even faster than the water they need to stay cool and operational, has exploded worldwide demand for memory. In response, memory manufacturers have shifted their sales from consumer to enterprise, where higher profits are possible. Large firms enter into multi-year contracts with memory manufacturers.
As part of the ongoing story, other memory manufacturers, including SK Hynix, ADATA, and Micron, have confirmed that the situation will worsen in 2027 before it can ease again. Meanwhile, the construction of fresh semiconductor manufacturing facilities (i.e., more RAM output) is progressing too slowly and will take several years before they can start supplying fresh stock.
The report highlights that rAM production is not only time-consuming but also costly and requires precise planning. Recent brands have little chance to prove themselves in this sector before they’re up against the big names. From worse to worst, smaller manufacturers could collapse under the intense pressures of the current market conditions.
Industry observers note that further reading: How to outsmart the RAM crisis: 5 tips.
In a fresh development, this article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
The report highlights that after studying communication science, she went straight into a job at PCMagazin and Connect Living. Since then, she has been writing about everything to do with PCs and technology topics, and has been a permanent editor at our German sister site PC-WELT since May 2024. Laura is an enthusiastic gamer as well as a movie and TV fan.