If you're planning to buy a laptop, build a gaming PC, or upgrade your smartphone this year, prepare to pay significantly more. The global RAM shortage is now official: prices have surged 90% in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, and experts warn the situation won't improve anytime soon.
Why there's a RAM shortage
The cause is clear: artificial intelligence is eating all available memory. The world's three largest memory manufacturers — Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology — have redirected their production toward high-end HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) chips for AI data centers.
Companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon are buying massive quantities of HBM memory to train and run AI models. This leaves significantly less production capacity for the DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory that our everyday devices use.
In my experience buying PC components, I've never seen such a drastic price increase in such a short time. I've been monitoring prices for a while and the trend is alarming.
Price comparison: before vs now
| Component | Q4 2025 Price | Q1 2026 Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR5 32GB Kit (2x16GB) | $75 USD | $140 USD | +87% |
| DDR5 16GB Kit (2x8GB) | $45 USD | $82 USD | +82% |
| 16GB RAM Laptop (OEM) | $650 USD | $780 USD | +20% |
| Flagship Smartphone | $999 USD | $1,099 USD | +10% |
How it affects you by device
Laptops and desktop PCs
Manufacturers Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer, and ASUS have already warned distributors of 15-20% price increases in the coming months. So-called "AI PCs" requiring a minimum of 16GB RAM are becoming prohibitively expensive, potentially stalling the industry's AI PC narrative.
Smartphones
Mid-range and budget manufacturers like Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo, and Motorola will be hit hardest. 2026 flagships will likely keep 12GB RAM on Pro models instead of upgrading to 16GB as expected. After testing several devices this year, the performance difference with less RAM is noticeable in multitasking.
Gaming and consoles
DIY PC gamers are the most affected. Additionally, Sony may delay the PlayStation 6, and Nintendo could also face component supply issues.
When will it get better
The bad news: not soon. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan publicly acknowledged that there will likely be no relief until 2028. Memory manufacturers need to build new production capacity, which takes 18-24 months.
What you can do now
If you need to buy RAM now
Buy now. Prices are only going up. If your PC supports RAM expansion, get the kit before prices climb higher.
If you're planning to buy a laptop or PC
Look for options with at least 16GB and hunt for deals. Monitor prices on sites like PCPartPicker to find the best buying windows.
If you can wait
Optimize what you have. Close background apps, use extensions like The Great Suspender in Chrome, and consider adding a fast SSD as cache if your system supports it.
Common issues and solutions
My PC is slow with limited RAM
On Windows: Settings → System → Storage → Cleanup recommendations. Disable unnecessary startup programs in Task Manager.
Can I use DDR4 instead of DDR5?
Only if your motherboard supports DDR4. They're not interchangeable. DDR4 prices also rose but less than DDR5.
Is used RAM reliable?
Yes, RAM rarely fails. Buy from reputable sellers with warranty. It's a good option to save up to 40%.
Additional resources
- RAM Shortage 2026: price analysis — Geeky Gadgets
- IDC: Memory market analysis — Impact on smartphones and PCs
- PCPartPicker — Component price comparison
- Tom's Guide: RAMageddon explained — Everything about the price crisis
