Ram shortages push up device prices

Technology

Euronews English

The global AI boom has prompted chipmakers to pivot production toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for data centres, tightening supply of conventional DRAM and causing sharp price rises for consumer memory. Samsung's chief financial officer warned shortages are likely to deepen in 2027 and remain tight through 2028, while market researcher TrendForce said memory prices for PCs and smartphones are about five to six times higher year-on-year. Retailers and custom PC builders report steep revenue drops and customers upgrading older machines instead of buying new ones, and carmakers now face higher in-vehicle computer costs that could affect vehicle prices.

Memory prices rose about five to six times over the past year.