Memory makers are anticipated to fulfill only 60 percent of the demand by the end of 2027. According to Nikkei Asia, DRAM suppliers are increasing production, but manufacturers are expected to meet only 60 percent of the demand by 2027’s close. The chairman of SK Group noted that shortages might persist until 2030. Leading memory producers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are expanding their facilities, but new capacities won’t materialize until at least 2027 or 2028. In February, SK opened a fab in Cheongju, marking the sole production increase among these giants for 2026. Nikkei reports production must grow 12 percent annually in 2026 and 2027 to meet demand, but Counterpoint Research indicates only a 7.5 percent increase is planned. New facilities will mainly focus on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers. Since companies prioritize HBM over general-purpose DRAM for electronics, it’s uncertain how this will affect consumer electronics prices. This RAM shortage has led to price hikes in phones, laptops, VR headsets, and gaming handhelds.
