Samsung presents a bleak forecast regarding pricing for mobile and PC devices.

      Memory shortage might worsen in 2027 and continue through 2028

      Samsung issued a warning in April indicating that the memory shortage could deteriorate in 2027. Three months later, the situation seems to be even more dire for those planning to purchase a new phone, laptop, gaming PC, or other memory-dependent devices.

      During its Q2 2026 earnings call, Samsung reported that demand is still significantly outpacing supply and that the unfulfilled orders from this year are likely to extend into next year. The company now anticipates that the shortage will continue through 2028, pushing its previous warning forward by an additional year.

      Next year may see the peak of the shortage.

      “Considering the incoming requests from our customers, the unmet demand from this year is likely to carry over into the subsequent year, leading to tighter supply conditions. We expect supply constraints to be even more severe in 2027 than in 2026, reinforcing our belief that the supply shortage will last through 2028. Beyond 2029, it is difficult to predict due to limited visibility,” stated Jaejune Kim, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics' memory division, during the call.

      Demand from AI data centers continues to exert significant pressure. Samsung has reported that customers are seeking multi-year supply agreements and intends to allocate around 60% to 70% of its memory capacity under long-term contracts. Although higher chip prices have resulted in record profits for Samsung's semiconductor sector, these same costs have led to a 700 billion won quarterly loss for its mobile division. The company has also indicated that rising memory prices are adversely affecting its mobile business as it gears up to launch the Galaxy S26 FE and Galaxy Tab S12 later this year.

      The issue extends beyond Samsung.

      Apple has already increased the prices of its MacBook and iPad after stating that it could no longer absorb the escalating memory and storage costs. The company is also looking into chips from Chinese suppliers CXMT and YMTC, although this decision has faced political resistance in the US.

      Samsung has yet to confirm any broader price hikes for its upcoming devices, but the Galaxy Z Flip 8 provides an early indication of what consumers might encounter. The new foldable device was released with a mostly unchanged specification sheet but a starting price that is $100 higher. If memory supply becomes even tighter in 2027 and remains constrained through 2028, consumers could encounter higher prices for upgrades, fewer discounts, and less generous memory and storage options.