RAM Crisis Grips Tech World: Specs Cut, Prices Soar Amid AI Boom

The global semiconductor market faces its worst DRAM shortage ever, compelling laptop and smartphone makers to slash memory specs and hike prices to unprecedented heights. Contract prices for 16Gb DDR5 chips surged from about $6.84 in September to $27.20 by December 2025—a staggering 300% jump in mere months.

Powerhouses like Dell and Lenovo plan to downgrade mid-range laptops from 16GB to 8GB RAM starting 2026, per TrendForce data. The pinch is so acute that custom PC firm Paradox Customs now offers memory-less prebuilts, letting buyers source their own sticks.

Smartphones aren't spared: Entry-level models may drop to 4GB RAM in 2026 (from 6-8GB), while mid-tier ones cap at 6-8GB instead of 12GB, TrendForce predicts. IDC warns the crunch could drag into 2027 or even 2028.

AI Hunger Fuels the Squeeze

Chip giants are shifting factories to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for lucrative AI data centers, sidelining consumer DRAM. Samsung and SK Hynix report 2026 HBM and DRAM capacity fully booked.

Apple feels the burn acutely: 12GB LPDDR5X chips for iPhone 17 Pro leapt from $25-29 early 2025 to ~$70—a 230% spike. Contracts with Samsung and SK Hynix expire January 2026, risking steeper costs or iPhone price bumps.

Last-Ditch Fixes and Sticker Shock

Samsung alerted clients to 30-60% Q4 2025 hikes, with some DDR5 lines up 60%. IDC eyes 8% average PC price rises in 2026, pushing smartphone ASPs to a record $465.

DIY tinkerers are hacking custom RAM from Chinese PCBs and dies, but savings remain slim versus retail. This turmoil could redefine tech affordability for years.