Samsung and SK hynix have reportedly started issuing contract prices for the upcoming quarters to customers, and the price increases are gigantic.
DRAM Prices Have Almost Grown By 3 to 4 Times Since Q4 2025, And the Situation Is Worsening With Each Day
When we talk about DRAM contract prices, it is important to note that, given the memory market's shift to a 'seller-dominated' market, DRAM quotations are now revised quarterly for large-scale customers. For smaller buyers, prices change within days, making it almost impossible for them to procure supplies. In the latest report by the Korean media outlet Sedaily, it is disclosed that memory suppliers are planning a major price hike for next quarter, and according to initial estimates, the overall price increase for this year (Q1-Q2) alone could reach 130%.
With the two companies' supply capacity falling short of the surging DRAM demand driven by global investment in artificial intelligence (AI), some are predicting that the overall price increase this year could reach 130%.
- Sedaily
The report claims that larger buyers are ready to accept DRAM price hikes, given that they are already under extensive LTAs in which updated contract prices are reflected at the end of each contract. However, small- to medium-scale businesses dependent on memory supply face a major issue with rising memory prices. Given that the volume they acquire is far lower than that of the likes of NVIDIA and Apple, suppliers like Samsung and SK hynix offer no leverage in the form of flexible pricing or volume, which means that for SMEs, acquiring DRAM has become almost impossible without raising end-product prices.
Based on what we have seen, DRAM prices alone have increased by more than 3 times since October 2025, mainly driven by the hyperscaler buildout and the memory supply squeeze, which buyers first noticed back then. In the coming months, we saw the consumer segment take a massive hit, with delayed product launches, lower inventory levels, and product price hikes. And, in terms of when one could expect the situation to return to normal, industry estimates are pointing to a mid-2027 to 2028 timeline.
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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