RAM Shortage May Continue for Years Ahead
Suppliers plan to cover only 60 percent of demand for memory chips by late 2027. A report from Nikkei Asia highlights this gap, even with efforts to boost DRAM output. The chairman of SK Group predicts shortages might extend to 2030.
Major companies race to expand. Samsung leads as the top memory producer worldwide, a South Korean giant known for semiconductors since the 1980s. SK Hynix, also from South Korea and part of the SK Group conglomerate, specializes in DRAM. Micron, based in the United States and founded in 1978, rounds out the big three. All three push for new plants, yet few will start before 2027, some not until 2028.
SK Hynix opened one facility in Cheongju back in February. That stands as the sole production gain among the trio for 2026.
Production Falls Short of Needs
Nikkei Asia notes demand requires a 12 percent yearly rise in output for both 2026 and 2027. Counterpoint Research forecasts just 7.5 percent growth instead.
These firms control most of the global DRAM market. Samsung holds the largest share, followed closely by SK Hynix and Micron. Their moves shape prices and supply for all tech. Past cycles saw booms and busts, but AI demand now drives steady pressure.
New plants target high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, key for AI data centers. Nvidia and others use HBM in GPUs for training models. This shift means less focus on standard DRAM for everyday devices.
AI Priorities Strain Consumer Market
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Companies already favor HBM production over regular DRAM. That choice raises doubts about relief for users of computers and phones.
Prices climb across gadgets. Phones and laptops cost more. VR headsets see hikes, like Meta's $100 increase for Quest 3, blamed on the shortage. Gaming handhelds face jumps too, such as AYN's dual-screen model. Samsung raised prices on Galaxy phones and tablets.
The crunch stems from AI's hunger for memory. Data centers gobble HBM, pulling resources from consumer lines. Everyday tech relies on DRAM chips measured in gigabytes, while AI setups demand terabytes of fast HBM stacks.
Long-Term Outlook Remains Uncertain
SK Group's leader, a key voice in industry, sees issues lingering until 2030. That timeline matches slow fab construction, which takes years from planning to output.
Fabs cost billions and need clean rooms for tiny chips. Training staff and ramping yields add time. Geopolitical factors, like US export rules on advanced tech to China, complicate supply chains further.
Consumers feel the pinch now. Higher RAM costs pass to device prices. Gamers, creators, and mobile users pay extra. Until capacity catches up, expect steady pressure.
The big three hold over 90 percent of DRAM market share. Their HBM push supports AI growth, vital for firms like OpenAI and Google. Yet it squeezes standard memory supply.