RAM prices are soaring as AI, laptops, and smartphones are set to become more expensive.

RAM prices increase at an unprecedented rate

The global memory market is experiencing its sharpest price surge in years. According to a report from Computing, DDR5 RAM prices have nearly doubled in just six months and are almost three times higher than the same period last year. DDR4 is also following this trend. TeamGroup – one of the major manufacturers – confirmed that DRAM and NAND prices “doubled” in early December and forecast further significant increases in the first half of 2026.

The main reasons stem not only from market cycles but also from changes in the production strategies of major companies. Micron has announced it will stop producing consumer RAM (under the Crucial brand) to focus on high-performance memory for AI. Samsung and SK hynix are also prioritizing the production of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) – a type of memory intended for AI data centers – instead of RAM for laptops and PCs.

RAM supply shortages have caused prices to surge globally. (Source: Tweaktown)

The explosion of artificial intelligence has created a global race to expand data centers. Increasingly large AI models require massive memory capacity, making HBM a strategic product. This has led manufacturers to shift a significant portion of their production capacity to HBM and LPDDR for AI devices, drastically reducing the supply of consumer RAM.

According to Android Headlines , the demands of AI are not only changing the structure of production but also putting pressure on the entire supply chain. With limited supply, an increase in RAM prices is inevitable.

Equipment prices increased by 20–30%

Bloomberg, citing major device manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP, reported that rising RAM costs are forcing them to adjust prices. Prices for laptops, PCs, and smartphones are expected to increase by 20% to 30% next year. This could cause consumers to think carefully before upgrading their devices.

A Samsung Galaxy flagship with 12GB of RAM now adds nearly $40 to the production cost. IDC forecasts the average smartphone price will increase by approximately $9. The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 (2x16GB) memory module has risen from $124.99 in September to $389.99 in December. Similarly, the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 (2x16GB) jumped from $134.99 to $427.99.

High-end laptops are expected to increase in price due to sharply rising memory costs. (Source: AH)

TrendForce forecasts that the PC and smartphone markets will shrink in 2026. PC growth could fall from +0.1% to -2.0%, while smartphone growth could drop from +1.7% to -2.4%. This signals that the impact of RAM prices is not limited to production costs but also affects the entire technology industry.

Gerry Chen, CEO of TeamGroup, stated: “DRAM and NAND prices doubled in December. Shortages will increase in the first half of 2026. Prices are unlikely to return to normal before 2027, possibly extending into 2028.”

Experts believe that if the trend of investing in AI continues strongly, the consumer RAM market will face prolonged pressure. Individual users and businesses should prepare for a period of significantly higher technology device prices than at present.

Mr. Quang

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/gia-ram-tang-manh-vi-ai-laptop-va-smartphone-sap-dat-do-hon-ar992110.html