Key Takeaways
1. RAM prices in Germany have remained stable recently but surged by 340% since last July.
2. Analysts predict DDR4 and DDR5 RAM prices could increase by 105% to 110% in early 2026.
3. Laptop memory prices, including LPDDR4X and LPDDR5X, are expected to rise by 88% to 93%.
4. The demand for DRAM in AI data centers is driving up memory costs for PCs and laptops.
5. NAND demand is also increasing, with anticipated price hikes of 55% to 60%, and an SSD shortage may last until 2028.
According to a study done by 3DCenter, RAM prices in Germany have hardly gone up from January 18 to February 1. However, when we look back to last July, the average cost of RAM kits has surged by 340%. The steady prices seen in the last couple of weeks might not be here to stay, as analysts from TrendForce predict that DDR4 and DDR5 RAM prices for the PC market could increase by 105% to 110% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the last quarter of 2025.
Price Hikes Expected for Laptop Memory
The memory used in laptops, like LPDDR4X and LPDDR5X, is also projected to see a price jump of 88% to 93%. This trend applies to DRAM used for servers too. TrendForce attributes these rising costs to the heightened demand for DRAM in AI data centers. Since the figures from TrendForce relate to the prices paid by manufacturers of PCs and laptops, there will probably be a delay before these price hikes affect consumers. Nonetheless, if TrendForce’s predictions hold true, RAM prices could escalate significantly in the months ahead.
NAND Demand and SSD Shortage
The demand for NAND is also surging because of the AI surge, with TrendForce anticipating price increases of 55% to 60% compared to the last quarter of 2025. Unfortunately, an end to the SSD shortage isn’t on the horizon. Some memory manufacturers believe that conditions might only improve by 2028 at the earliest. Therefore, it seems likely that prices for DRAM, NAND, and devices like smartphones, PCs, and laptops will continue to climb over the next two to three years.
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