Overview
- Asus told partners it will implement strategic price adjustments on select product combinations starting January 5 due to higher RAM costs and supply volatility tied to AI demand.
- IDC reports RAM production is being redirected to AI data centers and projects below‑normal DRAM supply growth of about 16% year over year in 2026.
- Counterpoint forecasts memory prices could climb roughly 40% through the second quarter of 2026, lifting average smartphone selling prices by about 6.9% and pressuring lower‑end models most, with Apple and Samsung better positioned.
- Recent reporting cites memory chip price spikes of up to about 60%, while DRAMeXchange projects contract prices could rise as much as 50% in the first quarter of 2026.
- PC makers are already reacting with price increases, including Dell and Framework, and TrendForce warns laptop shipments could fall by up to 10.1% in 2026.