RAM shortage could last years

TL;DR

Memory makers face a DRAM shortage driven by AI demand, with new fabs prioritizing high-bandwidth memory over consumer chips.
Suppliers are expected to meet only 60 percent of demand by end of 2027, per Nikkei Asia.
Shortage could extend to 2030, raising prices for phones, laptops, VR, and gaming devices.

The story at a glance

A global RAM shortage persists as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron shift production to high-bandwidth memory for AI data centers. New factories won't come online until 2027 or later, leaving general-purpose DRAM in short supply. This update follows ongoing price hikes in consumer electronics and comes amid reports from Nikkei Asia and SK Group leadership.[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/914672/the-ram-shortage-could-last-years?utm)[[2]](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/914672/the-ram-shortage-could-last-years)

Key points

Nikkei Asia reports manufacturers will meet just 60 percent of DRAM demand by end of 2027, even with ramped production.[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/914672/the-ram-shortage-could-last-years?utm)
SK Group chairman said shortages could last until 2030 (Reuters).[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/914672/the-ram-shortage-could-last-years?utm)
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron plan new fabs, but nearly all new capacity targets HBM for AI, not consumer DRAM; SK Hynix opened one fab in Cheongju in February, its only 2026 increase.
Production needs 12 percent annual growth in 2026-2027 to match demand, but Counterpoint Research forecasts only 7.5 percent.
Price hikes already hit Samsung Galaxy phones, Microsoft Surface, Meta Quest 3/3S, and AYN gaming handhelds.

Details and context

The three biggest memory makers control most global DRAM supply and have prioritized lucrative HBM for Nvidia GPUs and AI servers, sidelining standard DRAM for PCs and phones. Building fabs takes years, so even aggressive plans won't ease consumer shortages soon. This echoes past cycles but feels structural due to sustained AI buildouts by hyperscalers like Alphabet and OpenAI.[[3]](https://fortune.com/2026/02/15/ai-demand-memory-chip-shortage-crisis-dram-hbm-micron-skhynix-samsung)

Related Verge coverage notes impacts spreading to SSDs and even potential product cancellations, as firms like Lenovo hoard chips amid 40-50 percent cost jumps.[[4]](https://www.theverge.com/tech/880812/ramageddon-ram-shortage-memory-crisis-price-2026-phones-laptops)

Key quotes

"Shortages could last until 2030."

— SK Group chairman (Reuters)[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/914672/the-ram-shortage-could-last-years?utm)

Why it matters

AI data centers are reshaping memory production, starving consumer and enterprise markets of basic DRAM. Buyers face higher prices on laptops, phones, and gadgets through at least 2027, with some firms delaying launches or cutting lines. Watch new fab outputs from 2027 and any policy pushes for diversified supply, though relief may not arrive before 2028-2030.