Random access memory (RAM) shortages are here to stay, driving up the prices of computers and phones

Your next smartphone or PC could be more expensive amid a global memory shortage that the International Data Corporation predicts will “last until 2027.” A A new report from the research company He explains the potential impact of the RAM crisis, saying it “signals the end of the era of cheap and plentiful memory and storage” — at least for now.

As the International Data Corporation notes, the cost of a smartphone “depends heavily” on the type of memory it uses, with rising RAM costs prompting phone makers to “significantly raise prices, cut specifications, or both.” Budget smartphones from brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Honor and Huawei will have “no other choice” but to pass on these higher costs to consumers, according to the International Data Center (IDC). These manufacturers have already improved the parts they use to keep prices low and don’t have much room to replace existing parts with cheaper parts. Xiaomi and Honor have it They have already started raising prices on their tablets, while… Xiaomi has warned of price increases Coming to its smartphones as well.

Samsung and Apple, on the other hand, may have a little more room, as they are able to “secure memory supplies 12 to 24 months in advance,” says the IDC. They may not add more than 12GB of RAM in their flagship smartphones, an upgrade that came with both the iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra this year. Overall, IDC expects the average selling price of phones to rise by 3 to 5 percent if the “moderate” scenario plays out, or by 6 to 8 percent with a “pessimistic” forecast.

Turning to PCs, IDC says the memory shortage is creating a “perfect storm” for the PC industry, and comes at the same time as Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 and pushing out memory-hungry AI-powered PCs. Several PC and laptop makers have already confirmed upcoming price hikes, including… Dale, HP, Acer and Asus.

Meanwhile, makers of AI-driven devices like Microsoft’s Copilot Plus computers may have to raise prices or reduce the amount of RAM they put into their computers. This may be difficult since Copilot Plus computers come with a minimum of 16GB of RAM. Although IDC has not changed its official 2026 PC market forecast, it says the average selling price of PCs could rise 4 to 6 percent in a moderate scenario, or 6 to 8 percent in a “pessimistic” scenario.