Price Increase in RAM Memory: Shortage Until 2028

The tech industry is facing a global crisis of RAM shortages, driven mainly by the growing demand for artificial intelligence and data centers. DRAM prices have risen by up to 55%, and the situation is expected to last at least until 2028, directly affecting consumers and manufacturers of PCs, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

Crisis Context

• Overflowing demand from AI: The expansion of language models and artificial intelligence applications requires massive amounts of RAM, especially high-performance types such as HBM (High Bandwidth Memory).
• Dominant manufacturers: Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron concentrate global production, creating a market highly dependent on a few players.
• Production reorientation: Much of the capacity is allocated to chips for data centers and servers, reducing supply for PCs and consumer devices.

Economic Impact

• Price increase: According to TrendForce, average DRAM prices rose between 50% and 55% in the last quarter of 2025.
• PC market contraction: IDC estimates a decline of between 4.9% and 8.9% in 2026 due to rising RAM costs.
• Rollback in configurations: The market has seen the return of devices with 8 GB of RAM as standard, a trend that seemed outdated.

Consequences for Consumers

• PCs and laptops: Prices of devices with 16 GB or more of RAM are skyrocketing, forcing manufacturers to offer more basic configurations.
• Smartphones and tablets: A reduction in built-in memory is observed, affecting performance in demanding applications.
• Other devices: TVs, smartwatches, and consoles also face memory limitations.

Future Outlook

• Micron warns that the crisis could extend until 2028, as AI demand will continue absorbing most of the production.
• Diversification needed: Experts suggest the industry must invest in new plants and manufacturing technologies to balance supply.
• Geographic dependence: South Korea maintains production leadership, creating vulnerability to geopolitical tensions.

Key Factors in the RAM Shortage

Key Factor	Current Situation (2025-2026)	Impact
AI Demand	Exponential growth	Global RAM shortage
DRAM Prices	+50% to +55%	More expensive PCs and mobiles
Production	Concentrated in 3 manufacturers	Monopoly risk
PC Market	4.9%-8.9% contraction	Lower supply and sales
Future Estimate	Crisis until 2028	Configuration adjustments

Risks and Challenges

• Consumers: Lower performance due to reduced configurations and higher prices.
• Manufacturers: Difficulty maintaining competitiveness under AI pressure.
• Global market: Vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and political tensions in Asia.

In conclusion, the RAM shortage is not a temporary phenomenon but a structural crisis derived from the artificial intelligence revolution. The coming years will be marked by high prices, more limited configurations, and a reshaping of the tech industry.

Memory is power, and today it is scarce.