Samsung expects the current shortage of DRAM and NAND memory to worsen in 2027. The company projects that the RAM shortage will persist until at least 2028.
The ongoing DRAM shortage has been a factor behind technology price hikes for approximately the last 16 months.
AI demand driving supply constraints
Demand from AI hyperscalers is primarily fueling the ongoing memory shortage. During its Q2 2026 earnings call, Samsung stated that AI companies and labs have been sharing their medium- to long-term demand forecasts directly with the company.
Samsung's share of the world's memory chip supply produced and sold.
Samsung's semiconductor division has achieved record sales and profit figures following the surge in AI-driven demand.
Impact on consumer electronics
Rising memory costs have pressured the profit margins of Samsung's Galaxy series smartphones and televisions. The company responded to these costs by increasing retail prices, which led to weakened demand for those product groups.
There are 'three to six months' before memory prices become even more extortionate.
