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Technology

RAMageddon Continues: SK Hynix says memory sold out till 2029, smartphones and laptops may get costlier

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 29 Oct 2026 1 day ago

The global RAM shortage could continue for several more years, and consumers planning to buy a new smartphone, laptop or gaming PC may have to pay more. South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix has warned that its DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production is effectively sold out through 2029. The company made the disclosure during its third-quarter earnings call on October 28, 2026, raising concerns that the ongoing memory shortage, often called RAMageddon, may continue into the next decade.

The shortage is closely linked to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence data centres. Companies are buying huge quantities of memory chips for AI servers, leaving manufacturers with limited capacity for consumer products. SK Hynix said long-term agreements already cover more than 50 per cent of its production capacity for 2027 and 2028. Demand currently under negotiation accounts for much of the remaining output through 2029.

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Why is there a global RAM shortage?

AI servers need large quantities of memory to run complex models. HBM is particularly important for AI accelerators manufactured by companies such as NVIDIA.

Memory manufacturers are directing more production capacity towards these higher-value products.

According to market research firm TrendForce, conventional DRAM contract prices are expected to rise another 10 to 15 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The shortage has already affected the availability and cost of memory used in personal computers and smartphones.

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Smartphones, laptops and gaming PCs could become more expensive

The impact could be significant for Indian consumers.

Manufacturers facing higher memory costs have several options. They can increase retail prices, reduce profit margins or offer less RAM in entry-level devices.

Budget smartphones and affordable laptops may face greater pressure as manufacturers have less room to absorb component price increases.

PC builders could face higher prices for DDR5 memory kits, particularly higher-capacity configurations.

TrendForce expects higher component costs to continue affecting smartphone and notebook shipments in 2027.

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When will RAM prices come down? Is 2030 the answer?

SK Hynix expects memory supply to remain below demand through 2030, according to reports from its earnings call.

This suggests that a sustained fall in RAM prices may take several years.

However, 2030 is not a confirmed date for cheaper RAM. Prices could ease earlier if manufacturers expand production or demand slows.

SK Hynix is already increasing manufacturing capacity, including production of next-generation HBM4 memory.

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