30/06/2026 04:11 - Tecnologia
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the global memory chip market. From personal computers and video game consoles to smartphones, any device requiring RAM is facing a sustained surge in prices. According to industry experts, this trend is not a temporary blip but a structural shift that will define the market for years to come.
A new term has gained traction on social media: "RAMpocalypse". This describes the current crisis where the main factor driving up costs is the massive, insatiable demand from major AI corporations like OpenAI and Anthropic. These companies have secured long-term supply contracts with the world's three dominant RAM manufacturers: Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.
These strategic agreements guarantee the steady flow of high-performance memory needed for the massive data centers powering models like ChatGPT. However, this comes at a cost: it drastically reduces the available supply for the traditional consumer market. The ripple effect has caused prices to skyrocket for individual buyers and major hardware players alike, including companies like Valve, PlayStation, and Nintendo, for whom memory is a critical component.
The American company Micron provides a clear snapshot of this new reality. In its most recent fiscal report, the company announced revenues of US$ 41.460 billion, beating Wall Street predictions by nearly US$ 6 billion. This financial success is largely attributed to a strategic pivot started in late 2025, focusing almost exclusively on the server and artificial intelligence business.
According to reports, Micron has signed 16 strategic supply agreements with key clients like NVIDIA and Anthropic, most extending to 2030. These deals include upfront payments of US$ 22 billion and total purchase commitments reaching a staggering US$ 100 billion.
Similarly, OpenAI finalized agreements in October 2025 with Samsung and SK Hynix to secure 900,000 DRAM units per month for its data center expansion. Analysts at TechInsights note this volume represents nearly 40% of the global production capacity for the specific type of DRAM wafer essential for running advanced AI models.
The timeline for relief isn't short. Micron's CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, has indicated that supply constraints are expected to persist well beyond 2027. The company anticipates that over half of its future revenue will stem from these long-term AI contracts. This means RAM prices are unlikely to drop while the AI industry continues its exponential growth.
According to a forecast by Jefferies Equity Research, consumers should brace for a price increase of 40-50% in the third quarter of 2026, followed by another potential hike of 30-40% in the fourth quarter of 2026. These increases are a direct result of the ongoing global memory shortage.
The industry holds a cautiously optimistic view: supplies are expected to improve gradually by 2028, which could eventually lead to lower prices. However, it remains unclear when production will fully catch up with current demand levels.
Consumers are already feeling the pinch. Microsoft recently announced via the official Xbox channel that prices for all its consoles will increase starting August 1, 2026, with hikes ranging from US$ 100 to US$ 150 depending on the model.
"Last October, we raised Xbox console prices in the US by 20 to 70 dollars. We hoped to avoid another increase and spent months exploring alternatives with suppliers. Unfortunately, storage and memory costs for consoles have multiplied by more than 2.5, and we anticipate they could double again by fall 2027," the company stated in its announcement.
This trend isn't isolated to gaming. The price of a standard DDR5 chip used in personal computers has quadrupled over the last year, according to inSpectrum Tech Inc. Consequently, Apple has also raised prices for its iPad and MacBook lines, citing the increased cost of memory components.
While Western and Korean giants like Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix lock in high prices through long-term contracts, China is aggressively pushing its domestic manufacturers, CXMT and YMTC, to expand production capacity.
By 2030, the Asian giant aims to achieve self-sufficiency in chip production and compete globally. Investment bank UBS estimates that China's combined memory output could increase by 120,000 to 140,000 wafers per month in 2026 alone.
If successful, this influx of new production hitting the market around 2028 could create a supply surplus, potentially forcing prices down and breaking the current duopoly.
This term, coined on social media, describes the severe supply shortage and exponential price hike for RAM. It is directly caused by the AI industry's massive consumption of memory resources.
Major AI firms have effectively pre-ordered the vast majority of output from top manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. This leaves the consumer electronics market with limited stock and significantly higher costs.
Samsung: Announced a massive investment plan of US$ 651 billion over the next decade.
TSMC: Projected investments of US$ 56 billion for this year alone.
SK Hynix: Planning a U.S. IPO valued at approximately US$ 29 billion.
Micron: Currently constructing new fabrication plants in Idaho and New York to meet demand.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
