The demand for chips in AI could maintain elevated memory prices for a prolonged period.

      Memory shortages are likely to affect your next phone, laptop, and GPU for years to come.

      Recent reports indicate that memory prices may continue to rise until 2027, suggesting that the memory chip crisis isn't a temporary issue. This poses a problem for those anticipating lower prices for phones, laptops, and GPUs in the near future.

      According to Reuters, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has stated that the global chip wafer shortage could last until 2030, mainly due to the high demand from artificial intelligence outpacing supply. Chey believes that the current shortage could stay above 20%, largely because AI technologies require significant amounts of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), leading to increased wafer consumption.

      Reasons for the prolonged memory price increases

      The rise in memory chip prices isn’t merely due to a production shortage or artificial price manipulation. Chey highlights the substantial demand for HBMs driven by AI as a primary reason for the ongoing shortage. He estimates that the industry will need at least four to five years to expand wafer capacity sufficiently, contributing to the likelihood that the shortage will extend to the decade's end.

      Memory is not just a minor component hidden in the supply chain; it influences nearly every consumer product, from affordable smartphones and mid-range laptops to gaming handhelds, consoles, SSDs, and graphics cards.

      Why this matters for your finances

      Chey anticipates that SK Hynix will unveil a strategy to stabilize DRAM prices. Companies typically discuss price stabilization only when they are concerned about market volatility, which often leads to increased unpredictability and higher prices for consumers.

      With SK Hynix commanding a 57% share of the HBM market and 32% of the global DRAM market, the company's role is significant. As the second-largest DRAM supplier worldwide, such alerts are not to be dismissed easily.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a technology journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware coverage.

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