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AI‑driven RAM shortage fuels Samsung loss, Qualcomm hike

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-31 07:00 UTC → 2026-07-31 07:48 UTC · added removed

AI‑driven RAM shortage fuels price pressure, Samsung loss loss, Qualcomm hike

The AI‑driven DRAM shortage that surfaced emerged in late July 2026 continues to tighten supply for PCs, smartphones and other consumer devices. Samsung Electronics now warns warned that the shortage will keep smartphone prices elevated through persist to at least 2028, noting that a 15 % increase in memory output cannot close long‑term contracts with the gap and that five largest data‑center operators lock up 60‑70 % of its mobile RAM capacity for up to five years. Its semiconductor division posted its first quarterly loss an operating profit of 89.2 trillion won in Q2, while the chip mobile division posted record profit. The company's revenue reached 171.5 trillion recorded a loss of roughly 700 billion won, underscoring the sector’s split performance. Price pressure has spread further in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei market, where real‑time “market‑price” pricing replaces fixed lists. High‑end graphics cards such as the RTX 5070 and RTX 5080 have risen up to 50 % in blamed on rising component costs. Qualcomm announced a week, while SSDs and DDR memory have doubled 15 % drop in price as manufacturers divert advanced‑capacity silicon to AI servers. Notebook‑repair volumes are up about 20 %, reflecting consumer shifts toward upgrading components rather than buying new machines. Analysts expect the upward price trend mobile‑chip shipments for RAM, SSDs, PCs and smartphones to persist through 2027‑2028, supported by AI data‑centre demand that consumes 70‑90 % the first half of high‑bandwidth memory capacity 2024 and limited new fab capacity until the late 2020s. In July 2026 Qualcomm announced a September price increase will raise prices for its semiconductor components, citing all Snapdragon processors starting 1 September. The hike, driven by higher manufacturing costs and the same memory shortage driven by AI infrastructure growth. The higher chip prolonged RAM price surge, is expected to increase global smartphone prices added and pressure low‑end models. Market‑share data show Qualcomm’s share fell from 26 % to Samsung’s component costs, contributing 22 % while MediaTek’s slipped from 37 % to a $544 million operating loss in its mobile division for the second fiscal quarter. While premium 32 %. Premium Samsung models such as the Galaxy S26 series and the Galaxy Z Fold line helped are being emphasized to offset some impact, Samsung said it will increasingly focus on high‑value products margin erosion. The combination of AI‑driven data‑center demand, limited new fab capacity and sustained component‑price inflation is projected to sustain profitability. keep RAM, SSD and smartphone prices elevated through 2027‑2028.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-31 07:48 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage fuels Samsung loss, Qualcomm hike
  2. 2026-07-31 07:00 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage fuels price pressure, Samsung loss
  3. 2026-07-31 05:51 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage fuels price pressure to 2028
  4. 2026-07-31 01:50 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage deepens PC and phone price pressure
  5. 2026-07-30 07:37 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage deepens PC and phone price pressure
  6. 2026-07-26 14:33 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage deepens PC and phone price pressure
  7. 2026-07-26 10:26 UTC AI‑driven RAM shortage deepens PC and phone price pressure

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