Memory chip shortage driven by AI demand expected to persist through 2028

memory chip shortage AI demand HBM pricing DRAM supply NAND Flash

The global memory chip market is facing a prolonged supply shortage driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. Micron Technology warns that demand for DRAM and NAND will continue to outpace supply through at least 2028, with market tightness expected to worsen in 2027 and 2028 compared to 2026. This demand is fueled by the need for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in AI servers and data centers.

TrendForce has raised its 2027 price forecasts for HBM, predicting that blended average selling prices could increase 121% year-over-year due to persistent supply constraints. The firm also expects NAND Flash and DRAM contract prices to rise significantly. Additionally, YMTC has projected that the NAND memory shortage could persist until 2029.

The shortage is impacting consumer electronics. In Indonesia, Samsung has increased prices for the Galaxy A57 5G due to component costs. Globally, smartphone prices rose by an average of 15% in 2026, with new models being 25% more expensive than the previous year. This trend is particularly affecting the budget segment, as manufacturers shift resources toward high-margin premium devices to manage rising component costs.

Entities

Micron Technology · Nvidia · Samsung · Sanjay Mehrotra · TrendForce · YMTC

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] YMTC forecasts that the NAND memory shortage could persist until 2029. pisapapeles.net
[● 2 SOURCES] TrendForce expects general DRAM contract prices to rise 10% to 15% in the fourth quarter of 2026. unwire.hk · www.eetasia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] TrendForce expects NAND Flash contract prices to increase by 15% to 20%. unwire.hk · www.eetasia.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Micron predicts memory chip demand will exceed supply through at least 2028. www.ilialive.gr · tierragamer.com · unwire.hk · www.cnbcindonesia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] TrendForce estimates HBM wafer input will rise from 22% in 2026 to 30% in 2027. unwire.hk · www.eetasia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] AI development is driving increased demand for HBM, server DRAM, and enterprise-grade SSDs. www.ilialive.gr · unwire.hk
[● 3 SOURCES] Over 75% of Micron's production for the coming years is already secured through long-term contracts. www.ilialive.gr · unwire.hk · www.cnbcindonesia.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra expects market tightness to worsen in 2027 and 2028 compared to 2026. www.ilialive.gr · tierragamer.com · unwire.hk · www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Smartphone prices in India increased by 21% in 2026. genk.vn