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18h ago

AI-Fueled Memory Crunch Triggers 2026 Price Hikes for PCs and Phones

AI datacenter buildouts are pulling capacity into high-bandwidth memory, constraining consumer supplies.

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The cost of memory chips — a key component in nearly every modern device — is surging as artificial intelligence devours global supply, pushing prices higher for everything from laptops to smartphones. Analysts warn consumers may soon feel the impact at checkout.
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Overview

  • Spot DRAM prices have nearly tripled since 2024 and DDR5 has risen by more than 300%, according to TrendForce.
  • IDC projects 2026 average selling prices to rise 3–8% for smartphones and 4–8% for PCs, with OEMs signaling 15–20% list increases and potential spec reductions.
  • Micron will end its Crucial consumer line by the first quarter of 2026 to prioritize data‑center and HBM customers, reinforcing the shift away from consumer RAM.
  • TechInsights expects DRAM pricing to peak in 2026 with tightness easing in 2027, while new manufacturing capacity typically takes three to five years to come online.
  • Smaller PC vendors warn of existential pressure and potential shipment declines as major buyers with long-term contracts stay relatively insulated, with server memory quotes up about 70% and NAND contracts up 20–30% in late 2025.