Overview
- An internal SK Hynix analysis, reported by 36Kr, projects constrained growth in general‑purpose DRAM supply through 2028, extending beyond bank forecasts that saw relief by 2027.
- Downstream price pressure is reaching buyers, with reports that Dell will raise commercial PC prices by about 10%–30% starting Dec. 17 depending on memory configurations.
- Industry guidance conflicts: Kingston’s Cameron Crandall urges consumers to buy SSDs and RAM now due to imminent increases, while Sapphire’s Edward Crisler expects prices to stabilize in roughly six to eight months.
- Profit outlooks for memory leaders have been revised higher, with Kiwoom Securities estimating Samsung’s 2026 operating profit at about $73 billion and SK Hynix at approximately 93.843 trillion won.
- Counterpoint Research says rising memory costs could lift the smartphone bill of materials share to around 25% and dent 2026 shipments, prompting evaluations of lower base RAM or renewed microSD support and 8GB laptop defaults.