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Global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-04 22:16 UTC → 2026-09-06 18:35 UTC · added removed

The global memory chip market continues to face a severe supply shortage of DRAM and NAND flash, primarily driven by the massive infrastructure requirements of artificial intelligence. As manufacturers prioritize High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI data centers, capacity for standard consumer electronics is being significantly reduced. Industry leaders, including Phison CEO Khein-Seng Pua and SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung, have warned that NAND shortages could persist through 2027, with some projections suggesting the imbalance may last until 2030. To meet this demand, Micron is planning to scale HBM production to 100,000 wafers per month by the end of 2026. This strategic pivot toward high-margin AI components is creating a supply deficit for consumer goods, with global goods. Analysts from IDC and Counterpoint Research report that DRAM prices have reportedly increased “fivefold within a single year.” Consequently, smartphone manufacturers face a choice between increasing retail prices forecasted to rise by 27.6% or reducing device specifications. IDC projects the average global smartphone selling price will reach a record USD 581 in 2026. In Indonesia, smartphone shipments fell by 9 percent in Q1 2026, a decline attributed to rising component costs. Financial performance across the sector remains robust due to rising prices; for instance, Sandisk reported $2.98 billion in data center storage sales in its fourth quarter, and semiconductor-related manufacturers in Japan saw record-high sales in fiscal year 2025. representing a 372% year-over-year revenue growth. Meanwhile, Dell Technologies continues companies like Xiaomi are adapting to face an intense demand environment, reporting a $95 billion order backlog for AI servers. market pressures by developing in-house components, such as the XRING 03 3nm chipset, to reduce reliance on external suppliers.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-06 18:35 UTC Global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand
  2. 2026-09-04 22:16 UTC Global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand
  3. 2026-09-03 06:34 UTC Global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand

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