Overview
- At CES 2026, Samsung marketing chief Wonjin Lee said semiconductor supply strains are lifting memory prices and the company may have to reprice products.
- The public warning is a shift from December, when Samsung said it was monitoring the market without commenting on pricing.
- AI data centers consuming high-bandwidth memory and server DRAM have tightened supply as manufacturers prioritize enterprise contracts over consumer components.
- Industry trackers including Counterpoint expect double-digit increases for DRAM and NAND contract prices in Q1 2026 after sharp rises last year.
- Higher component costs risk pushing up retail prices for smartphones, laptops and TVs, with reports suggesting the Galaxy S26 could debut at higher prices.