Memory shortages have brought the DDR4 back into the game, as a new report claims that Samsung plans to delay the EOL cycle of the memory to capitalize on the market demand.
Samsung & Others Plan to Stick to DDR4 Production, But It Won't Be For PC Gamers At All
The DRAM supercycle has successfully disrupted the memory supply chain to the point where manufacturers are now unable to cope with the demand from the AI industry. From general-purpose DRAM products to HBM, the production lines are reporting bottlenecks, and this has prompted the likes of Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron to take 'emergency steps'. According to a report by DigiTimes, Samsung now plans to delay the "end-of-life" cycle of DDR4 memory, as contract prices for the modules have grown drastically. However, all production will be directed towards server-grade customers.
Samsung Electronics will slow down the pace of DDR4 end-of-life (EOL) production in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will sign long-term supply contracts with specific customers in the first quarter of 2026, with fixed supply conditions that "cannot be cancelled or changed.
- DigiTimes
It is reported that Samsung plans to offer customers a "Non-Cancellable and Non-Returnable" contract, which would ultimately allow the Korean giant to secure demand for its DDR5 and DDR4 products without worrying about customers pivoting away. And more importantly, under such contracts, the pricing is locked in based on the current situation, which means that fluctuations will not affect the quotation. Interestingly, DDR4 memory was being phased out a few months ago, but now, customers are scrambling to get their hands on it, which has ultimately prompted Samsung to maintain production.
As for consumers, DDR4 modules were seen as a viable alternative amid the memory shortages, given that they haven't reacted aggressively in terms of price hikes. However, it now appears that DDR4 could become unaffordable moving forward. The inclination towards DDR4 is evident in the fact that AMD's AM4 platform is seeing surprising market interest, driven by PC consumers' scramble to upgrade or build new configurations.
The DRAM supply chain situation doesn't look to improve anytime soon, and it appears that manufacturers like Samsung won't give much attention to the consumer markets at all, since the AI sector is a lot more 'profitable' for them.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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