The market is in shock after the new contract prices for memory in the second quarter of 2026 were revealed by industry giants Samsung and SK Hynix.
Major companies like Samsung and SK Hynix have issued price proposals so extreme that analysts and buyers have described them as “absurd.” The situation is especially difficult for small and medium-sized businesses, many of which are choosing to cancel their memory purchase plans because they cannot afford the rising costs.
According to recent reports, DRAM memory prices have increased at an unprecedented rate, tripling or even quadrupling since the last quarter of 2025. For the first half of 2026 alone, a total increase of up to 130% is expected. These prices are leaving small and mid-sized tech companies with very little room to operate.
AI Demand Is Driving the Price Surge
Supply capacity from both companies is not enough to meet the growing demand for DRAM, which is being driven by global investment in artificial intelligence. Some reports suggest that overall price increases this year could reach 130%.
The main reason behind these price hikes is heavy investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Manufacturers have shifted a large part of their production capacity toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and data center solutions. This has reduced the supply available for the general market.
The impact goes beyond RAM modules. Any device that uses DRAM memory could be affected by these shortages and higher prices.
For PC enthusiasts and hardware manufacturers, the short-term outlook is not positive. It is estimated that the shortage and high prices could continue until at least mid-2027, or even 2028. By then, memory manufacturers are expected to complete the expansion of their production facilities.
For PC users, there are only two options: pay the higher prices when buying new memory modules, or wait patiently for the market to stabilize.
