memory RAM remains installed in a price escalation that has not ended nor has any signs of ending. Samsungone of the three main memory manufacturers in the world along with SK Hynix and Micronnegotiates with its clients a new increase in the average sales price of the DRAMthe type of RAM most used as main memory, of around 20% during the third quarter of 2026as published by ZDNet Korea. The reason is the price escalation that began last fall due to the strong demand for infrastructure for artificial intelligence and an offer that is not enough to cover all market segments.
According to estimates collected by the South Korean media, the average price of Samsung DRAM has already increased more than 90% in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter. In the second quarter, the progress would have been between 50% and 60%. For the third quarter, the company is now aiming for another increase, although it is still It remains to be seen how much of the increase its customers finally accept..
The situation affects conventional DRAM, but also other types of memory. The investment of large technology companies in AI data centers has skyrocketed the demand for memory for servers, HBM and LPDDR. The latter, used especially in mobile phones, light laptops and other low-power devices, is the one that most directly affects the common technology user. An industry source cited by ZDNet Korea assures that Samsung is being very aggressive in negotiations and that the LPDDR, including variants such as LPDDR4 and LPDDR5, could become more than 20% more expensive.
Samsung’s position is especially relevant because an important part of its production still tied to general-purpose DRAMa market more exposed to price increases. SK Hynix also participates in the uptrend, although the impact would be somewhat less because its weight in HBM is greater. In practice, the rise of AI is absorbing industrial capacity and leaves less room for memory that ends up in consumer products.
Although the pace of increases could moderate, The signing of long-term supply contracts points to a prolonged period of high prices. Micron recently announced 16 such agreements with customers, with purchase commitments and minimum prices that protect high margins. It is a sign that Large buyers also do not expect supply to normalize in the short term.
For the consumer, buy a laptop, PC or mobile phone in the second half of 2026 It will be even more expensive if manufacturers transfer part of that increase to the final price.