RAM is so expensive that… Samsung doesn't dare sell RAM to Samsung itself

Rising gold prices? That's nothing compared to RAM right now. With the 'AI' craze drying up memory supplies, RAM prices are being inflated like gold bars. And in a classic bubble economy twist, Samsung can't even sell RAM to Samsung right now .

The story goes like this: Samsung is a giant ecosystem, making everything from refrigerators to oil tankers. To run all those areas, they have a series of subsidiaries that operate independently – sometimes not as 'close' as people think. In this business empire, there are two important figures: Samsung Electronics (making Galaxy phones, laptops, tablets, watches…) and Samsung Semiconductor Global (making chips, RAM, memory for the whole world ).

And yes, that global market includes both Samsung subsidiaries and their competitors. A Samsung, Dell, or Lenovo laptop on a Best Buy shelf is likely to use RAM made by Samsung Semiconductor.

Normally, when Samsung Electronics needs components, they will 'call the family' first. According to reports, Samsung Electronics wants to order DRAM for upcoming smartphone models in 2026. But unfortunately, these days, RAM is mainly being smuggled into AI data centers - where customers are willing to pay sky-high prices. For maximum profit, companies like Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron all prioritize selling to data centers.

As a result, according to a report from SamMobile, Samsung Semiconductor refused to order DRAM from Samsung Electronics itself under the Mobile Experience division. The smartphone maker wanted to finalize the price and supply for the whole year, but Semiconductor said no because of. 'chipflation'. The two sides were forced to renegotiate quarterly, with a higher price for the short-term agreement.

If this information is accurate (note: the news cannot be independently verified), users can prepare for Samsung smartphones to increase in price. Even other devices will be affected. While phone prices are unlikely to increase as wildly as PC RAM, this price surge is lifting all boats. Raspberry Pi is having to increase in price due to memory costs, Lenovo is stocking up to prepare.

And if you hope for a drop in RAM prices by 2026? Well… don't get your hopes up too high. TeamGroup predicts component prices have tripled, and finished RAM has seen some months where prices have jumped as much as 100%. If the market doesn't collapse catastrophically, prices will continue to climb in 2026, and even into 2027 or beyond.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 08 December 2025