If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your PC, Samsung’s latest pricing might make you pause.
According to reports from South Korea, the company’s RAM and SSD prices have doubled. In some cases, they have even tripled in just the past two months. This is a sharp jump that points to a wider memory crunch. The crunch is brewing across the hardware market.
The most striking example comes from Samsung’s own backyard. A 16GB DDR5 RAM module that sold for around 100,000 won (roughly $69) in November has recently been spotted at 400,000 won (about $278). That’s a 300% increase for the same stick of memory, and it’s happening fast.
The reason appears to be Samsung’s growing focus on AI-focused memory production. This focus is soaking up supply that would normally go to consumer-grade components. It’s a strategy that mirrors moves from rivals like Micron. However, the knock-on effect is simple: less RAM and storage available for everyday buyers, and much higher prices for what’s left.
Distributors are already feeling the squeeze, reportedly paying more for Samsung memory themselves. While the current data is centred on South Korea, it’s unlikely the impact will stay local for long. Especially given Samsung’s influence on global memory pricing.
According to Counterpoint Research analyst MS Hwang, memory could soon account for around 30% of total manufacturing costs. If that prediction holds, it won’t just be RAM that gets pricier. Laptops, graphics cards, consoles, and even smartphones could all feel the knock-on effect. This could happen as memory becomes a bigger slice of the bill of materials.
We’re already seeing early signs elsewhere. SSD pricing is creeping up, with high-end models like Samsung’s 990 Pro 2TB sitting at prices that used to buy double the storage. As AI continues to dominate hardware roadmaps, there’s a growing risk that inflated memory costs become the new normal. This could be the case rather than a temporary spike.
For consumers, the outlook isn’t great. If Samsung’s pricing trend spreads, and history suggests it will, 2026 could be a very expensive year to build or upgrade a PC. Memory shortages could quietly drive costs higher across the board.
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