Chip shortage pushes computer and smartphone prices higher

A worldwide shortage of memory chips and other components, driven by soaring demand for artificial‑intelligence workloads, is set to raise prices for computers, notebooks, smartphones and related hardware by tens of percent this year. distributors and analysts quoted by EET Group said manufacturers are shifting production capacity toward AI accelerators, reducing the supply of standard DRAM and NAND chips. Jan Bartoš, general director of EET Group for the Czech and Slovak markets, warned that “stability of the supply chain and the ability to ensure long‑term availability of hardware” now outweighs price and speed.

The shortage is already affecting consumer products. Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18 series and new MacBook models could see price increases of 5,000–10,000 CZK, according to analyst Jakub Rochlitz, who noted that data‑center operators are buying up the remaining memory chips. Apple also plans to launch a new Mac Studio with an M5 Ultra processor and up to 768 GB of RAM, despite the scarcity of memory modules.

Micron predicts that high memory and SSD prices will persist at “extreme levels” through at least 2027, possibly not easing until 2029, as demand outpaces new manufacturing capacity. Companies are responding by building larger inventories and moving away from just‑in‑time logistics; Scandinavian firms are already stockpiling, while many Central European firms remain cautious.

Enterprises are extending the life of existing equipment, increasing RAM upgrades, and focusing on repair and refurbishment to mitigate cost pressures.