Jefferies Equity Research predicts rising DRAM and NAND prices. Analysts warn that costs will likely remain high until 2028.
Memory prices face a steep climb. Estimates suggest DRAM and NAND costs will jump 40–50% in the third quarter of 2026, followed by another 30–40% increase in the fourth quarter.
Persistent demand from AI services outpaces current production capacity. Major manufacturers including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron show no immediate plans to expand output significantly. Expectations for Chinese firms like CXMT to bridge this gap remain unmet.
Roughly 50% of manufacturing capacity is tied to long-term contracts with major technology firms. This restricts supply for the consumer market—including PCs, laptops, consoles, and smartphones—and drives prices even higher.
Chinese memory producers currently lack the scale to alter global market dynamics. Their products offer no meaningful price advantage to consumers.
High prices may persist throughout the remainder of the decade.
Source: iXBT.games