RAM prices are about to rise nearly 50% — and it gets worse

RAM prices are about to rise by nearly 50 percent in the third quarter of 2026, according to Jefferies Equity Research analysts cited by Mashable. Memory chip pricing is expected to climb another 30 to 40 percent in Q4, with further hikes projected through 2027 as AI data centers drain supply—a crunch observers call RAMageddon. Consumer gadgets are already feeling the squeeze, from MacBook and Xbox price hikes to difficult decisions facing Sony's next PlayStation launch.

Key Takeaways

• Jefferies analysts expect memory chip pricing to climb 40–50% in Q3 2026 (July through September).
• Another 30–40% increase is projected for Q4 2026, with year-on-year hikes of 40–45% continuing into 2027.
• Samsung and Micron have sold much of their output to AI data center builders, leaving fewer chips for PCs, phones, and consoles.
• Apple, Microsoft, and Sony have already raised prices or face difficult launch decisions because of the shortage.
• Micron has warned RAM shortages could last into 2028, with no quick supply relief on the horizon.

Why Are RAM Prices About to Rise Nearly 50 Percent?

Tech analysts are sounding the alarm: RAM prices are about to jump again, and the timing is specific. A Jefferies Equity Research report, flagged by Mashable on June 30, 2026, projects memory chip pricing will rise between 40 and 50 percent in the third quarter of 2026—covering July 1 through September 30.

If you were planning to upgrade your computer's memory or buy a new device, analysts suggest acting sooner rather than later. The current wave is not a one-off blip. It sits atop shortages that have already reshaped what laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles cost at checkout.

The driver is straightforward. AI companies building out massive data centers need memory, and chipmakers are prioritizing those contracts. Manufacturers like Samsung and Micron have already sold a good portion of their output to data center builders. That leaves fewer chips flowing toward everyday consumer hardware.

What Is RAMageddon and Who Does It Hurt?

RAMageddon is the shorthand tech watchers use for the global memory shortage tied to AI demand. Demand from AI companies is skyrocketing, going far beyond what manufacturers can keep up with. The result is fewer memory chips for PCs, smartphones, and video game consoles—the products most buyers actually touch.

The consumer impact is already visible on price tags. Apple recently raised MacBook prices by as much as $500. Microsoft raised Xbox gaming console prices by as much as $150. Gaming companies more broadly have struggled with component shortages across the board.

Sony faces an even starker choice. Recent leaks suggest the company will either have to sell its upcoming PlayStation 6 console at a minimum of $960 or push the launch date back into 2028 or beyond. For anyone who remembers when flagship consoles launched at friendlier price points, the contrast is hard to miss.

Storage is getting squeezed too. In February, hard drive manufacturer Western Digital shared that its top seven customers had bought out all of its storage supply for the year—and were already purchasing supply into 2028. Memory and storage shortages are stacking on top of each other, not canceling out.

When Will Memory Prices Stop Climbing?

Hope for near-term relief does not look promising. Memory prices are expected to rise another 30 to 40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2026, covering October through December. Analysts project memory price hikes will continue with a year-on-year increase of 40 to 45 percent in 2027.

Micron has warned that RAM shortages could last into 2028, as Mashable previously reported. AI data center contracts are locking up output well in advance, and Western Digital's customers buying through 2028 underscores how long this pipeline crunch may run.

For a deeper look at how today's tech pricing compares with earlier eras of relative affordability, browse our Nostalgia: Then & Now coverage. Analysts do not expect meaningful relief anytime soon, with hikes continuing through 2027 and shortages potentially lasting into 2028.

How Should You Respond Before Prices Jump Again?

The practical advice from analysts is blunt. If you need a device or a RAM upgrade, buying before the Q3 2026 spike may save meaningful money. Waiting for prices to fall back to pre-crisis levels is unlikely to pay off anytime soon.

Jefferies' projections, relayed through outlets including TechSpot, frame the next several quarters as a stair-step of increases rather than a single shock. Q3's 40–50 percent rise is the opening act, not the finale.

RAMageddon is well and truly here. Whether you are shopping for a work laptop, a gaming rig, or a next-generation console, memory costs are now a headline variable—not a background detail on the spec sheet. The AI boom created the shortage. Consumers are paying the tab.