🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

The memory “supercycle” story is still building

• Samsung’s upbeat view tracks an analyst call on a widening supply gap in memory chips. Goldman Sachs expects DRAM to run 4.9% short in 2026 and 2.5% short in 2027 1.
• IDC ties the squeeze to manufacturers shifting output from consumer devices to AI-focused memory like high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and high-capacity DDR5 2.
• Goldman Sachs projects conventional DRAM prices rising about 176% year over year in 2026. Operating margins for large memory producers could climb to 70% to 80% 1.

AI demand for memory could raise phone and PC prices

• IDC reports PC brands are preparing broad price hikes as memory costs rise into H2 2026. Vendors cite 15% to 20% increases and contract resets, including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer and ASUS 2.
• IDC links the push for AI PCs that need at least 16GB of RAM with memory that becomes “prohibitively expensive” to add, even when supply is available 2.
• IDC expects 2026 flagship devices to skip RAM upgrades. Pro models may stay at 12GB rather than move to 16GB 2.
• IDC says Apple can line up memory 12 to 24 months ahead through cash reserves and long-term supply agreements. Smaller device makers face tighter access, which could shift share toward larger consumer electronics and PC vendors 2.