Well, after DRAM shortages and RAM prices exploding, it is clear that SSDs are next in line, since supply chain sources indicate that NAND chips are in for a massive price hike.
Samsung is Rumored to Be Implementing a Whopping 100% NAND Price Hike in Q1, And Customers Have Already Been notified.
The aggressiveness of AI as a technology has been so intense that it has disrupted existing supply chains, and there's no doubt that AI has been the primary driver of turbulence in consumer PC markets. RAM prices are skyrocketing, GPU launches are being delayed, and now it appears that major NAND manufacturers are planning extensive price hikes on their supply. According to a report by ETNews, Samsung has increased NAND contract prices by more than 100% in Q1, following major LTAs with top customers such as Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD.
Given that NAND chip prices actually double this quarter, this could severely disrupt the consumer PC industry, as it would lead to a massive price rise across SSDs. If we look at the retail situation right now, SSD prices are rising by the day. According to PCPartPicker, all configurations are rising massively, and there's no stopping them right now. The important point to note is that, on average, SSD prices have risen by up to 18% since October 2025, and when you factor in the incoming NAND chip price hikes, well, the current pricing looks like a bargain.
Interestingly, if you have put your hopes in NAND manufacturers increasing supply, well, there are no plans for now, considering that, with DRAM shortages, companies like Samsung and SK hynix are looking to reallocate production lines to NAND, driving up NAND contract prices to ultimately ensure maximum profitability.
The other part of the headline, where we focus on "there's nothing we can do", mainly tells how dire the consumer PC industry has become when it comes to acquiring hardware, given that price hikes have become consistent across major components. And given that technological advancements in AI are only going to increase the need for DRAM, NAND, and other components, there is no timeline for when we could expect things to smooth out. For now, the best choice for gamers is to say goodbye to PC upgrades for several quarters.
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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