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AI data centers are driving strong demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other memory products. Because manufacturers cannot quickly add enough capacity to meet that demand, they are directing more production toward AI and server needs, leaving less conventional DRAM and NAND available for PCs, phones, and other devices. The result can be higher costs for chipmakers’ customers, changed device configurations, and narrower product choices—not necessarily empty shelves or identical price rises across every product.
What is in short supply, and why does AI demand matter?
“Memory” covers different components with different jobs. They are related markets, but one type cannot simply replace another in a device:
- DRAM is working memory: it temporarily holds data that a processor needs to access quickly. It is used in PCs, phones, graphics systems, and data centers.
- HBM is a high-bandwidth form of DRAM built from vertically stacked layers. It is designed for the high data-transfer demands of AI accelerators and other advanced computing systems.
- NAND is non-volatile storage. It keeps data when a device is switched off and is used in SSDs and mobile devices.
AI servers need substantial amounts of memory, including HBM and high-capacity DDR5. IDC has attributed the tight supply partly to manufacturers shifting capacity toward those products while demand for memory per AI server grows. Capacity cannot be redirected instantly, nor can manufacturing supply expand quickly enough to meet every increase in demand. That can leave less supply for conventional memory used in consumer devices.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11In an IDC forecast published in 2025, DRAM supply was projected to grow 16% year over year in 2026, and NAND supply 17%. These are forecasts, not final measurements of what the industry produced during 2026.
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- Accelerated gaming performance: Every millisecond gained in fast-paced gameplay counts—benefit from lower latency for higher frame rates, perfect for AAA games
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How does the shortage affect chipmakers?
For memory manufacturers, strong demand and limited supply can support higher prices and make advanced memory more strategically important. But the same imbalance forces difficult allocation decisions: suppliers must decide which customers and product categories receive available capacity.
Micron’s SEC filing describes this tension from a manufacturer’s perspective. The company said AI-driven data-center demand for memory and storage was growing faster than its ability—and the industry’s ability—to increase supply. It also reported that constrained supply and demand growth had increased pricing and led to allocation decisions that could affect some customers and end markets.
Higher prices can benefit memory suppliers, but that does not mean every chipmaker or device company benefits equally. Companies that rely on memory as an input may face higher costs or tighter access to components. The effect on their business depends on how much supply they can secure, what they pay, and whether they can pass costs along or change the products they sell.
What do the price and shipment forecasts say?
Industry forecasts point to substantial pressure, but the estimates below are not interchangeable: they come from different publishers and dates, and measure different things. A component-price estimate, a device-price estimate, and an average selling price (ASP) forecast are distinct measures. Each figure is a forecast rather than a settled result.
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| Publisher and timing | Forecast for 2026 | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Gartner, February 2026 | 130% increase by year-end versus 2025 | Combined DRAM and SSD prices |
| Gartner, February 2026 | 17% increase versus 2025 | PC prices |
| IDC, 2026 PC outlook | 17% increase versus 2025 | Average PC selling prices |
| Gartner, February 2026 | 13% increase versus 2025 | Smartphone prices |
| Gartner, February 2026 | 10.4% decline versus 2025 | Worldwide PC shipments |
| Gartner, February 2026 | 8.4% decline versus 2025 | Worldwide smartphone shipments |
| Gartner, August 2026 | $837.3 billion | Forecast worldwide memory revenue |
The two PC estimates of 17% come from different publishers and describe related, but not identical, measures: Gartner forecast PC prices, while IDC forecast average selling prices. They should not be treated as a single confirmed outcome. Gartner’s August memory-revenue figure is also a forecast, not audited final revenue.
Why could PCs become more expensive or change configuration?
DRAM and SSDs contribute to a PC’s bill of materials. If those inputs cost more or are harder to obtain, a manufacturer can respond in several ways:
- Raise prices: pass some of the added component cost to buyers.
- Absorb costs: protect the advertised price while accepting less margin.
- Change specifications: offer less memory or storage in a configuration, or reserve higher specifications for more expensive models.
- Trim the lineup or timing: reduce the number of configurations offered or delay a product while supply is constrained.
IDC has described the possibility of lower memory or SSD configurations in new PCs and a more constrained range of products. IDC also said that it did not expect PC prices to return to 2025 levels during its forecast horizon. That is an outlook, not a guarantee about a particular model’s price or future availability.
How could phone buyers be affected?
Smartphones also rely on memory, and higher component costs can be harder for lower-priced models to absorb because they have less room in their budgets. Vendors may raise prices, reduce specifications, or make both changes. The outcome can differ by manufacturer, model, and price tier; the market forecast does not establish what will happen to every phone.
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Gartner’s shipment and price projections for smartphones are market-level forecasts. They indicate expected pressure across the category, not that every phone will rise in price or become difficult to find.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will memory shortages make devices hard to find?
Supply pressure can show up as fewer configurations, a narrower selection of lower-priced products, delayed upgrades, or reduced shipment volumes. It does not establish a universal retail stockout: some models may remain available even as certain configurations or product lines become harder to secure.
IDC’s PC outlook says vendors with greater purchasing power and stronger supplier relationships may be better positioned to secure allocation. Smaller vendors may have less leverage when components are tight, which can affect how many models they offer or how reliably they can supply them.
What can buyers do if a PC upgrade is affected?
If you already own an upgradeable desktop or laptop, adding memory may be an option instead of replacing the entire computer—but only if the system supports it. Before buying a memory kit, confirm the computer’s memory type, supported capacity, form factor, and whether its memory is replaceable. Many laptops and compact systems do not support user-installed memory upgrades. An upgrade can help with an individual computer’s capacity; it does not resolve broader industry supply constraints.
When comparing new devices, check the exact configuration rather than relying on a model family’s headline specification. Different versions of one product line can offer different amounts of memory and storage, and those options may be affected differently by supply and pricing pressure.
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