The global RAM shortage, dubbed 'RAMpocalypse,' is expected to persist until 2027, driving up SSD prices and affecting AI infrastructure and consumer electronics.
© D. Novikov
The global shortage of RAM, which industry insiders have dubbed "RAMpocalypse," could last much longer than previously expected. Analysts warn that the shortage of DRAM and NAND chips will persist at least until the end of 2027, with SSD prices likely to be hit in the near term. Against this backdrop, demand for memory continues to outstrip supply amid the rapid growth of AI infrastructure, leaving little chance for a quick market recovery.
One of the few positive signals has been Micron's announcement of a new $24 billion memory chip plant in Singapore. However, don't expect fast relief: production wafers are scheduled to start only in the second half of 2028. This plant will be part of the company's long-term strategy, primarily aimed at meeting growing demand for NAND memory used in data centers and AI systems.
Meanwhile, Micron is already expanding its presence in Singapore. Most of its flash memory is produced there, and the company is also building a separate packaging plant for high-speed memory for AI chips, set to begin operations in 2027. Even so, these measures aren't enough to rescue the market from the severe imbalance between supply and demand, especially from cloud services and corporate clients.
Experts note that in these conditions, corporate SSD solutions could see sharp price hikes in the coming months, which will inevitably affect consumer electronics as well. Samsung and SK hynix are also accelerating the launch of new production capacities, but even this might not suffice. As a result, smartphone and laptop manufacturers could face rising costs, increasing the risk of noticeable price jumps in 2026 that could cool the market.