Memory prices may continue climbing through the end of 2026 and remain elevated throughout 2027, according to a new industry forecast. The outlook suggests that DRAM and other memory products could face another period of steep quarterly price increases before supply improves enough to bring relief in 2028.
The forecast expects memory prices to rise by 40% to 50% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Prices could then increase by another 30% to 40% in the final quarter of the year. If these estimates prove accurate, PC components, laptops, smartphones, gaming handhelds, and other devices that depend on memory and storage could become even more expensive.
The main reason is continued demand from the AI industry. Data centers are buying large volumes of high performance memory for AI accelerators, servers, and cloud infrastructure. Memory makers have also redirected more production toward premium products, leaving less supply for standard DRAM used in consumer electronics.
The Memory Market May Not Improve Until 2028
The outlook for 2027 is also difficult. Memory prices could rise by 40% to 45% across the year as demand remains strong and new manufacturing capacity takes time to come online.
This means the current shortage may not be a short term issue. PC builders and laptop buyers have already seen higher prices for DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while SSDs and phone storage have also become more expensive. If memory costs keep rising, manufacturers may increase retail prices, reduce base memory capacity, or charge more for upgrades.
The first meaningful improvement may not arrive until 2028. At that point, greater production capacity and slower demand growth could allow memory prices to fall by around 15% to 20%.
| Period | Expected Memory Price Movement | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2026 | Up 40% to 50% | Tight supply and strong AI demand |
| Q4 2026 | Up 30% to 40% | Continued pressure across DRAM markets |
| Full year 2027 | Up 40% to 45% | Limited supply growth and high demand |
| 2028 | Down 15% to 20% possible | More capacity and weaker demand growth |
China’s Growing Memory Output May Not Change the Market Quickly
China is also expanding its memory production capacity, with local companies working to grow their DDR5 and other DRAM businesses. This has raised hopes that more supply could help lower global prices sooner.
However, the forecast suggests that Chinese manufacturers may have a limited effect on the wider market in 2026 and 2027. The industry still faces a technology gap between newer Chinese suppliers and established memory makers in South Korea, the United States, and other major markets.
Chinese production could become more important by 2028, particularly if new factories ramp up successfully and advanced memory products become more widely available. Until then, the biggest memory makers are expected to remain in control of most high end DRAM supply.
Higher Memory Costs Could Affect More Than PC Upgrades
The impact will likely extend beyond desktop RAM. Laptop makers, smartphone brands, console companies, and handheld manufacturers all depend on DRAM and NAND flash storage. Higher component prices can quickly reach finished products, especially in devices that already use large amounts of fast memory.
For buyers, the market may remain unpredictable. Discounts can still appear, but the lower pricing seen in earlier years is becoming harder to find. Anyone planning a major PC upgrade or a new laptop purchase may need to compare prices carefully, since waiting may not guarantee a better deal while the memory shortage continues.
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