A fresh wave of tension appears to be brewing in the memory market. Social media platforms and industry forums are abuzz with discussions surrounding a document allegedly originating from an authorized Samsung distributor. This text reportedly details a drastic price hike across the brand’s entire memory product portfolio, with increases reaching as high as 80% and taking effect immediately.
While Samsung has yet to issue any official confirmation, the source of this leak is rumored to be an individual connected to the Device Solutions campus in Giheung, South Korea—the core of the company’s semiconductor operations. Given that memory demand is currently surging, largely fueled by the boom in AI and high-performance computing, this information carries particular weight.
An additional pressure point on pricing could stem from the highly cautious production strategies employed by manufacturers. According to industry insiders, Samsung intends to boost DRAM output by only around 5%, despite clear shortages and escalating orders. SK hynix and Micron are exhibiting similar restraint, seemingly anxious to avert a scenario of oversupply, while simultaneously securing strong profit margins.
These limitations do not solely impact DRAM. Previous reports indicated that both Samsung and SK hynix were contemplating reductions in NAND flash production, diverting capacity toward more lucrative sectors. Analysts at TrendForce project that the total memory market value will climb to $551.6 billion by 2026, setting a record high of $842.7 billion in 2027, thus creating fertile ground for continued price escalation.
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