The 2026 Memory Crisis

Let’s start with what makes this current memory crisis different from the pandemic chip shortages. This is purely demand driven vs a broken supply chain. Where is this demand coming from? AI infrastructure of course! GPUs need HBM memory. That causes a shift in production focus from the likes of Samsung, Micron, SK hynix and others (NAND and DRAM). So, what’s the actual impact? Well, I’ve seen the spectrum of potential increases of 60% all the way to 300%. I’ve also heard that all memory production has been accounted for in 2026 already.

Summary: A huge surge in AI demand + manufacturers shifting production toward specialized memory = less DRAM/NAND for consumer and enterprise gear → higher prices and tighter supply throughout 2026 and likely beyond. 😢