Source: Nikkei Asia
The global memory chip shortage shows no signs of easing anytime soon. Even as major suppliers ramp up DRAM production, manufacturers are only expected to meet 60 percent of demand by the end of 2027 — and SK Group's chairman has warned that shortages could persist all the way to 2030.
Production Is Growing, But Not Fast Enough
The world's three largest memory makers — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — are all working to expand fabrication capacity. However, almost none of that new capacity will come online until at least 2027, if not 2028.
The one exception is SK Hynix, which opened a new fab in Cheongju in February 2026 — the only meaningful production increase among the three for this year.
According to Nikkei Asia, DRAM production would need to grow by 12 percent per year in both 2026 and 2027 to keep pace with demand. But Counterpoint Research projects an increase of only 7.5 percent — a significant shortfall that will keep supply tight for years to come.
AI Is Taking Priority Over Consumer Electronics
Much of the new fabrication capacity being built is focused on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) — the specialised chips used in AI data centres and GPU accelerators. With Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron all prioritising HBM over general-purpose DRAM, it remains unclear how much relief consumers will see.
General-purpose DRAM — the kind found in smartphones, laptops, VR headsets, and gaming handhelds — is already in short supply, and the AI boom is making it harder for consumer electronics manufacturers to secure the memory they need at reasonable prices.
What This Means for Consumer Electronics Prices
The knock-on effects are already being felt across the industry. Devices that rely heavily on RAM — including:
- Smartphones
- Laptops and tablets
- VR and AR headsets
- Gaming handhelds
— have all seen price increases as a direct result of the DRAM shortage. With supply unlikely to catch up to demand before 2028 at the earliest, consumers should expect elevated prices to continue in the near term.
The Outlook
The combination of surging AI demand, slow fab construction timelines, and a structural shift toward HBM production paints a challenging picture for anyone buying or selling consumer electronics over the next few years. Businesses that rely on devices with significant RAM requirements may want to plan ahead — whether that means locking in inventory, adjusting pricing strategies, or communicating transparently with customers about market conditions.
We'll continue to monitor developments in the global chip market and share updates as they emerge.