Mobile DRAM contract prices are forecasted to increase by up to 83% in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand from AI data centers and limited supply. Major smartphone manufacturers are cutting production plans as memory costs rise significantly. Analysts expect the shortage and pricing pressures to persist well into 2027.
Kye-hyun Kyung, ex-head of Samsung's semiconductor division, predicts the global RAM shortage may ease as early as late 2027, citing increased Chinese manufacturing and shifts in the AI sector. His view contrasts with the prevailing industry outlook, which anticipates a longer period of market imbalance.
Abishai Financial Asia is closely monitoring the potential for an AI-fueled memory hardware supercycle. The firm’s focus reflects increasing investor interest in technology infrastructure driven by artificial intelligence applications.
Morgan Stanley has lowered its 2026 global smartphone shipment forecast, citing rising memory chip costs driven by increased demand from artificial intelligence applications. The bank expects Android shipments to fall 16% year over year as component price hikes and supply constraints weigh on price-sensitive buyers. Apple’s supply chain is viewed as more resilient with a projected 2% decline.
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