Overview
- At CES, co-CEO TM Roh called the crunch “unprecedented” and said some impact is inevitable across phones, TVs, and appliances, while marketing chief Lee Wonjin said Samsung may have to consider repricing products.
- Market trackers flag fresh spikes: TrendForce sees DRAM contracts rising 55%–60% this quarter after a 314% year-over-year jump in DDR5, with reports of server memory hikes up to 60%–70% and NAND up 30%–35% in Q1.
- Suppliers are reallocating output to high-bandwidth and server memory, with some 2026 HBM capacity reported sold out and shorter supply agreements tightening availability for consumer DRAM and NAND.
- Stocks and earnings are surging as shortages bite, with Samsung expected to post roughly a 160% Q4 profit jump and analysts lifting targets on memory names while projecting a supercycle that could extend into 2027.
- OEMs are preparing 2026 responses that include higher PC and smartphone prices, delayed upgrades, and potential spec cuts, though larger brands with scale and supply leverage are relatively better positioned.