Samsung has joined other major tech companies in warning that the ongoing global memory crisis will not improve soon, with component supply expected to remain constrained through 2027 and potentially lasting until 2028.
During a recent Q2 earnings call, Samsung leadership revealed that artificial intelligence labs have been directly sharing medium-to-long-term demand forecasts with RAM makers to secure future inventory. While this heavy AI demand helps Samsung lock in long-term contracts and financial security, it continues to negatively impact sales for consumer devices like smartphones, TVs, and PC components.
Quick Facts
- Projected Timeline: Memory supply squeeze expected to continue through 2027, with relief unlikely before 2028.
- Primary Driver: High-volume demand and long-term contracting from AI datacentres.
- Consumer Impact: High component costs continue to drive up prices for regular consumer devices and PC hardware.
Because AI firms are willing to pay for massive quantities of RAM, manufacturers face minimal market pressure to shift production focus back toward reasonably priced consumer memory. This ongoing supply allocation sits at the centre of a pending US lawsuit accusing major chip makers—including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—of fixing memory prices and restricting consumer supply.