Why Laptop and RAM Prices Are Rising in 2026: The Memory Shortage Explained

Laptop and RAM prices are rising in 2026 because AI data centers are absorbing the memory chips that used to go into consumer devices. The three companies that make most of the world’s DRAM have shifted capacity to high-margin server and AI memory, leaving less for laptops, phones and PCs. Research firm TrendForce expects conventional DRAM contract prices to rise another 10–15% in the fourth quarter of 2026 and NAND flash (SSD) prices another 15–20%, and it expects DRAM supply to stay tight in 2027. If you need a laptop, buying sooner is usually safer than waiting for prices to fall.

This guide explains why prices are rising, how it affects laptops in India, how long it may last, and what to do if you’re buying. Browse more in our Laptop and Smartphones sections.

Key takeaways

• The cause is AI demand. Memory makers are putting their most advanced production into server DRAM and AI memory, so less is available for consumer devices.
• Micron shut down its Crucial consumer memory brand, which removed one of the best-known sources of RAM and SSDs for PC buyers.
• TrendForce forecasts Q4 2026 contract prices up 10–15% for conventional DRAM and 15–20% for NAND flash, although the pace of increases is moderating.
• ASUS India’s executive said laptop prices could rise by as much as 45% by the third quarter of 2026 compared with December 2025, and that RAM and SSDs now cost more than CPUs.
• Gaming laptops are among the hardest hit because they need lots of RAM, storage and graphics memory.
• Analysts expect tight supply into 2027, and some say relief may not come until late 2027 or 2028.

Why memory prices are rising

AI data centers want the same chips

Samsung, SK hynix and Micron together make roughly 90% or more of the world’s DRAM. The same factories and silicon wafers produce every kind of DRAM, so each wafer used for the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) that powers AI accelerators is one less wafer for the memory in a laptop or phone. Server memory is also far more profitable, so suppliers have shifted toward it.

TrendForce’s September 30, 2026 forecast says DRAM suppliers continue to prioritize advanced-process capacity for high-performance server products, keeping the overall market undersupplied. Demand for enterprise SSDs is also surging: TrendForce expects enterprise SSD bit demand to grow by more than 80% year on year in 2026 as cloud providers expand AI infrastructure.

Micron left the consumer market

Micron announced that it would exit the Crucial consumer business to improve supply and support for larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments, as The Register reported. Crucial products shipped through the end of February 2026, with warranties honored afterward. That left the consumer side of the market with one fewer major supplier.

Suppliers are not rushing to add capacity

Memory manufacturers plan to build new factories between 2026 and 2030, but new capacity takes years to arrive. In the meantime, TrendForce notes that some suppliers are scaling back older graphics memory (GDDR6) production and that newer GDDR7 output stays limited because advanced capacity is going to server products.

How the shortage has unfolded

How it affects laptop prices in India

Memory is now a much bigger share of a laptop’s cost. ASUS India’s vice president of consumer and gaming PCs said laptop prices could rise by as much as 45% by Q3 2026 versus December 2025, and that RAM and SSDs are now more expensive than CPUs, which he called unprecedented. Analysts cited by Storyboard18 said DDR RAM prices had surged 2.5 to 3 times and that device prices could climb up to 35% in 2026. IDC and Counterpoint expected India’s PC shipments to fall 7–8% in 2026 as people delay purchases or buy lower-spec machines.

TrendForce adds that PC brands are responding in two ways: absorbing higher costs, and cutting specs. Some are reducing SSD capacities in mainstream laptop models to lower their costs, and some PC brands are reconsidering older GDDR6 graphics memory to cut costs. That means two laptops with the same name can ship with different amounts of storage, so always check the exact configuration.

Gaming laptops are hit hardest. Digit’s analysts said gaming laptops could see sharper price rises because of their reliance on discrete GPUs and larger video memory. See our best gaming laptops in India coverage for current picks.

What about RAM and SSD prices for upgrades?

Buying RAM or an SSD separately is also more expensive. A price tracker citing TrendForce spot data reports that the price of a mainstream DDR4 chip rose from about $12 in November 2025 to $46.32 on October 6, 2026. The same tracker notes that DDR4 memory still costs less per gigabyte at retail than DDR5, but suppliers are winding down DDR4 production, so that discount is at risk.

This is also why upgrading later isn’t a clever workaround: RAM and SSD upgrades cost more today than they did a year ago.

When will prices come down?

No one expects a quick drop. Here is what the main forecasts say:

A slower pace of increases is not the same as falling prices. Even if growth moderates, prices are rising from an already high base.

What to do if you’re buying a laptop

• Buy when you need it. Waiting for prices to fall is a gamble, and most forecasts point to higher or flat prices for the next several quarters.
• Check the exact configuration. Confirm RAM, SSD size and graphics, because brands are trimming specs on some models.
• Buy the spec you need, not more. 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is a sensible floor for most people, and extra RAM and storage now cost more than before.
• Compare several retailers and offers. Stock bought at older prices may still be cheaper than newly restocked models, so compare before the price tag changes.
• Expect other devices to cost more too. Phones and consoles are also affected, as we covered in our iQOO 16 vs OnePlus 16 comparison.
• Don’t pay for hype. If your current laptop works, there is no rush to upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

Why are RAM prices rising in 2026?

AI data centers are absorbing memory capacity. Samsung, SK hynix and Micron have shifted production toward server memory and HBM, leaving less DRAM for consumer devices, and Micron has exited its Crucial consumer brand.

Why are laptop prices rising in India?

RAM and SSD costs have surged, and memory is now a larger share of a laptop’s cost. ASUS India said laptop prices could rise up to 45% by Q3 2026 compared with December 2025.

Will RAM prices fall in 2027?

Probably not by much. TrendForce expects DRAM supply to stay tight in 2027, and other analysts see relief no earlier than late 2027 or 2028.

Should I buy a laptop now or wait?

If you need a laptop, buy now. Forecasts suggest prices are more likely to rise or stay high than to fall, so waiting is a gamble.

Which laptops are most affected by the price rise?

Gaming laptops and models with large RAM and storage are hit hardest, because they use more memory and depend on costly graphics chips and video memory.

Are smartphone prices rising too?

Yes. Counterpoint Research reported an average 16% price rise for smartphones in India in the first half of 2026, with phones under ₹10,000 up about 32%.

Is DDR4 still cheaper than DDR5?

At retail, DDR4 still costs less per gigabyte than DDR5, according to one price tracker, but suppliers are winding down DDR4 production, so the gap may not last.

Is 8GB of RAM enough in 2026?

For basic browsing and office work it can still work, but 16GB is the safer choice for gaming, multitasking and keeping a laptop useful for years.

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