Key Takeaways
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- The ongoing memory chip shortage, primarily caused by increased demand for high-bandwidth memory chips for AI data centers, is impacting various sectors beyond smartphones and computers, potentially affecting smart home appliances like TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines.
- Prices for memory are expected to increase significantly across devices, with the average price of DRAM predicted to jump 50–55% year-over-year in Q4 of 2025. This price hike could increase consumer electronics prices by up to 20%.
- Companies like Samsung and SK Hynix, which together account for more than 70% of the DRAM market, have already received orders for 2026 that exceed their production capacity. This could lead to supply chain disruptions and potential price manipulation.
- Consumers should anticipate increased costs in the near future due to the memory chip shortage and should consider making purchases sooner rather than later. The shortage is expected to persist until at least 2027 or beyond, particularly as advanced chips are diverted to AI projects.
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Memory Chip Shortage Impacts Wide Range of Appliances, Leads to Price Hikes and Supply Chain Disruptions by 2026
Samsung co-CEO TM Roh has warned that the ongoing memory chip shortage will affect both corporations and individual consumers. This shortage already impacts various sectors beyond smartphones and computers, potentially affecting smart home appliances like TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines that rely on memory to function. In response, Samsung is adding a new chip production line at its South Korean plant, and SK Hynix announced plans to build a $91 billion chipmaking cluster in 2024. While these expansions aim to address the shortage, it remains uncertain whether manufacturers will be able to fully meet demand, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions similar to those experienced during the pandemic. Roh explained that this unprecedented situation will inevitably lead to price hikes, which Samsung is actively working with its partners and clients to mitigate. These shortages could increase consumer electronics prices by 20% by 2026. This is partly due to semiconductor manufacturers focusing on high-bandwidth memory chips for AI data centers, driven by the AI boom, which has resulted in less attention to low-end chips for consumer products. Further exacerbating the issue, Micron plans to cease production of consumer memory and SSDs by December 2025 to focus on its data center business.
DRAM Shortage Drives Up Prices Across Devices, Persists Until 2027 and Beyond
Prices for memory used in PC parts are already rising, and DRAM shortages extend to non-PC devices like cars. The market research firm TrendForce predicts that the average price of DRAM, including high-bandwidth memory chips, will jump 50–55% year-over-year in Q4 of 2025. Samsung and SK Hynix, which together account for more than 70% of the DRAM market, have already received orders for 2026 that exceed their production capacity. In December 2025, Samsung increased prices on some memory chips by as much as 60%. Some experts also suspect possible price manipulation. AI demands are expected to further increase chip prices for consumer goods by 20% this year. Companies like Dell, Lenovo, Raspberry Pi, and Xiaomi are warning of potential price hikes of 5 to 20%. Raspberry Pi already increased computer prices in December, and Lenovo is stockpiling memory chips and other essential components in anticipation of further price increases. The memory shortage is expected to persist until 2027 or beyond, particularly as advanced chips are diverted to AI projects. Consumers should therefore anticipate increased costs in the near future, and those planning purchases may wish to make them sooner rather than later. Source
Tech Hardware Components Prices Steady amidst Ongoing Market Conditions (January 5, 2026)
As of January 5, 2026, no major shifts in the tech industry or global market trends have been reported that would significantly affect computer hardware components like CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage devices. Market conditions remain subject to change over time.
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Links to external sources for further reading
- Manufacturers and analysts warn AI data centre build-out is crowding out market for semiconductorsManufacturers and analysts warn AI data centre build-out is crowding out market for semiconductorsgigazine.net
- Construction of AI data centers could disrupt chip supplies, causing smartphone and PC prices to rise by up to 20% by 2026Construction of AI data centers could disrupt chip supplies, causing smartphone and PC prices to rise by up to 20% by 2026techspot.com
- With AI companies booking memory supply until at least 2027, smartphone and PC makers are warning that prices could rise by as much as 20 per cent in the coming months.With AI companies booking memory supply until at least 2027, smartphone and PC makers are warning that prices could rise by as much as 20 per cent in the coming months.indianexpress.com