AI memory chip shortage drives up prices of laptops, phones and consoles

The surge in demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) and DRAM to power artificial‑intelligence data centres is squeezing global chip supplies. Semiconductor firms such as MACOM, Marvell, Astera Labs and Cerebras are seeing rapid revenue growth as they provide custom silicon, optics and analog components for AI servers. At the same time, chipmakers have redirected about 25% of DRAM capacity to HBM, cutting the output of conventional DDR memory and pushing component costs higher.

Consumers are feeling the impact. Prices for laptops, smartphones and gaming consoles have risen by €50‑€200 (approximately $50‑$150) in Europe and by similar amounts in other markets. Brands such as Samsung Galaxy A, Apple laptops, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series devices are reporting higher retail prices, while some Windows laptops now ship with 8 GB of RAM instead of 16 GB at unchanged prices. Analysts forecast that the memory shortage will persist at least until 2028.

The scarcity has also sparked legal scrutiny. A U.S. antitrust lawsuit alleges that Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron coordinated to cut DDR production and inflate prices, using the AI boom as a pretext. Apple is exploring Chinese supplier CXMT to mitigate costs. The combined effect of tighter supplies, higher component prices and legal actions is reshaping the consumer‑electronics market worldwide.