# AI-driven memory shortage intensifies through 2028 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-pc-market-contraction-from-aidriven-ram-shortage > Updated: 2026-08-23T21:14:33.000Z. Sources: 97. Developments: 13. The AI-driven shortage of DRAM, HBM, and NAND is intensifying. Samsung Electronics has warned that the RAM shortage will worsen in 2027 and remain severe through at least 2028, as the shift toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers reduces the supply of standard DRAM for consumer devices. Recent reports indicate RAM prices have surged by 500%, with capacity for 2026 and 2027 already sold out. Driven by generative AI expansion and global conflicts, some projections suggest inflated RAM and SSD prices may persist until 2030. This supply tightening is squeezing manufacturer margins and raising consumer costs. Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division faces significant financial challenges; despite strong Galaxy S26 sales, analysts project potential quarterly losses of up to 1.5 trillion won ($1.09 billion), which would surpass the financial impact of the Galaxy Note 7 battery crisis. A primary driver is the sharp increase in memory component costs; for instance, the cost of RAM in an $800 smartphone has risen from 14% to 23% of the total cost. To maintain interest, retailers have begun offering discounts on the Galaxy S26. Technological innovation continues alongside these price hikes. In high-performance memory, Colorful demonstrated a 48 GB DDR5 kit using CXMT DRAM chips reaching 9,000 MT/s, while DapuStor introduced a 512 TB enterprise SSD for AI training clusters. However, by August 2026, prices for DDR4/DDR5 RAM, SSDs, and HDDs reached record highs. In the gaming sector, 37% of surveyed German gamers have postponed upgrades due to rising costs, even as companies like Asus launch new hardware like the Xbox Ally X20. ## Claims - Samsung's semiconductor division earned a record operating profit of about $61.7 billion. (disputed by 9 sources) - Samsung's semiconductor division generated an operating profit of 89.2 trillion won in Q2. (disputed by 3 sources) - Prices of smartphones, tablets and PCs are rising because of the RAM shortage. (corroborated by 13 sources) - AI‑driven demand is increasing RAM consumption worldwide. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Samsung produces roughly one‑third of global RAM. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Samsung predicts the global RAM shortage will continue until at least 2028. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Samsung's mobile division posted its first quarterly operating loss. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Samsung’s chief financial officer warned that the memory chip shortage will worsen in 2027 and persist through 2028. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Samsung has signed long‑term memory supply contracts covering 60‑70 % of its capacity for up to five years. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: RAM prices surge 500% amid shortages as Asus unveils Xbox Ally X20 A severe RAM shortage is driving prices up by 500%, though Asus's new Xbox Ally X20 handheld aims to remain competitive despite broader hardware market volatility. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ram-prices-surge-500-amid-shortages-as-asus-unveils-xbox-ally-x20 ### 2026-08-17: Memory component costs impact smartphone prices and Sony hardware plans Rising memory costs are driving up smartphone prices and impacting consumer demand, while Sony delays PlayStation 6 plans due to component competition from the AI industry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/memory-component-costs-impact-smartphone-prices-and-sony-hardware-plans ### 2026-08-15: Samsung MX faces potential losses despite Galaxy S26 sales Samsung's mobile division faces a potential first-ever quarterly loss due to surging memory chip prices, despite strong Galaxy S26 sales and new retail discounts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-mx-faces-potential-losses-despite-galaxy-s26-sales ### 2026-08-14: Memory and storage sectors see rapid innovation and rising prices Memory and storage sectors see rapid innovation and rising costs. Colorful demonstrated 9,000 MT/s DDR5 speeds, DapuStor unveiled a 512 TB SSD, and consumer prices for RAM and SSDs hit record highs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/memory-and-storage-sectors-see-rapid-innovation-and-rising-prices ### 2026-08-03: Samsung memory shortage pushes up gaming hardware prices A German survey shows 37 % of gamers delayed upgrades as Samsung warns a RAM shortage will keep hardware prices high through 2027‑28, affecting consoles, GPUs and PCs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-memory-shortage-pushes-up-gaming-hardware-prices ### 2026-07-31: Samsung Electronics posts first mobile division loss amid soaring component costs Samsung’s mobile division posts a €426 million loss as component costs surge, while Qualcomm lifts Snapdragon prices, highlighting AI‑driven memory price pressure on smartphones. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qualcomm-chip-price-hike-drives-samsung-mobile-division-loss ### 2026-07-30: Samsung predicts global memory chip shortage to last through 2028 Samsung warns AI‑driven demand will keep the global RAM shortage tight through 2028, driving steep price hikes for consumer devices. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-warns-of-prolonged-memory-shortage-driving-device-price-hikes-through-2028 ### 2026-07-28: Samsung warns memory shortage to worsen through 2027, lasting to 2028 Samsung says RAM shortage will worsen in 2027 and last to 2028, plans long‑term contracts for 60‑70 % of output; AI drives demand, DRAM stays tight, NAND flash eases later. Samsung raises Galaxy prices and, as 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-warns-smartphone-prices-will-stay-high-through-2028-as-ram-shortage-persists ### 2026-07-25: Global RAM shortage threatens PC and phone prices, ADATA CEO warns ADATA warns a decade‑long RAM shortage will keep component prices high, while UK phone maker Nothing may exit 12 markets and cut up to 40% of staff due to rising memory costs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-ram-shortage-threatens-pc-and-phone-prices-adata-ceo-warns ### 2026-07-24: RAM shortage drives car price hikes RAM shortages push up car prices, with GM forecasting a 0.5% rise in the US and BYD boosting autonomous‑driving options by 20%. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ram-shortage-drives-car-price-hikes ### 2026-07-24: Global PC Shipments Decline Amid DRAM/NAND Shortage, ASUS Up, Apple Leads Q2 2026 global PC shipments fell 4% to 65 million as DRAM and NAND prices surged, ending a growth streak; ASUS rose 4% and Apple 13%, while China’s Yangtze Memory grabbed 13% of the NAND market. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dram-shortage-spurs-price-surge-and-global-pc-shipment-decline ### 2026-07-22: Memory shortage fuels global PC, smartphone supply crunch, boosting refurbished IT demand Memory shortages drive a global decline in PC (‑4.9%) and smartphone shipments, lift prices and shift U.S. imports away from China, prompting businesses to consider refurbished IT equipment. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/memory-shortage-fuels-global-pc-smartphone-supply-crunch-boosting-refurbished-it-demand ### 2026-07-08: Global PC market contracts as AI drives RAM shortage PC shipments fell 5 % in Q2 2026 as AI‑driven RAM prices surged, squeezing consumer hardware while Germany's IT sector sees growth from cloud and AI despite a broader market slowdown. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-pc-market-contracts-as-ai-drives-ram-shortage --- Cite as: AI-driven memory shortage intensifies through 2028. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-pc-market-contraction-from-aidriven-ram-shortage