Why Is RAM So Expensive in 2026? The Memory Shortage Explained

RAM is expensive because AI data centres are buying up the world's memory chips. The three big memory makers, Samsung, SK hynix and Micron, have moved their factories to high-margin AI server memory, so there is less left for PCs, phones and consoles. Contract prices for ordinary DRAM roughly doubled in early 2026 and have risen every quarter since. In Canada, a 32GB DDR5 desktop kit now lists for about $800 at Best Buy, and Apple, Samsung, Sony and Microsoft have all raised prices. Analysts expect supply to stay tight through 2027.

• 1Q26 DRAM+93% to 98%
• 2Q26 forecast+58% to 63%
• 3Q26 forecast+13% to 18%
• 4Q26 forecast+10% to 15%

Quarter-over-quarter change in conventional DRAM contract prices, from TrendForce. Each rise stacks on top of the last one.

Why is RAM so expensive right now?

1. AI servers are eating the supply

AI data centres need huge amounts of memory: high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI chips, plus server RAM and fast SSDs around them. Cloud companies sign long-term deals and pay top dollar, so memory makers give them priority. TrendForce says suppliers keep moving their most advanced factory capacity to server products, which leaves the market for everything else undersupplied.

2. Only three companies make most of it

Samsung, SK hynix and Micron together made about 90% of DRAM revenue in early 2026, according to TrendForce. When all three chase the same AI customers, there is no big supplier left to fill the gap for PCs and phones.

3. Consumer brands are pulling back

In December 2025, Micron announced it would leave the consumer memory business and stop selling Crucial RAM and SSDs in stores by February 2026, to focus on data centre customers. Crucial was one of the biggest RAM brands for home PC builders.

4. New factories take years

A new memory plant costs billions and takes years to build and ramp up. Supply cannot jump to meet demand in a few months, so prices do the adjusting.

DRAM contract price change, quarter over quarter

How the RAM shortage hits what you buy

Desktop RAM

This is where it shows most. At Best Buy Canada on October 22, 2026, 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 kits listed between about $795 and $1,040, and a 64GB Corsair DDR5 kit sold by Best Buy was $1,529.99. Older DDR4 is up too: a 32GB DDR4 Corsair kit was $359.99. In the US, Tom's Hardware reported 32GB DDR5-6000 kits at around US$400 in 2026, against under US$100 before the shortage.

MacBooks and Macs

On June 25, 2026, Apple raised Mac and iPad prices, blaming memory and storage costs. In Canada:

Apple Canada starting prices, before and after June 25, 2026.

Mac RAM is part of the Apple chip and cannot be upgraded later. Pick enough memory the day you buy. Since the M4 generation, Apple sells every MacBook Air with at least 16GB.

Windows laptops

TrendForce reported in December 2025 that Dell planned price increases of at least 15% to 20%, with Lenovo following in January 2026. TrendForce also notes that some laptop brands are cutting SSD sizes in mainstream models to keep prices down, so check the storage before you buy.

Phones

Memory is now one of the biggest costs inside a phone. By October 1, 2026, Samsung Canada had raised the Galaxy S26 lineup by $150 to $250. The Galaxy S26 256GB went from $1,249.99 to $1,399.99, and the S26 Ultra 1TB from $2,599.99 to $2,849.99. TrendForce says phone makers are also cutting RAM to save money: mid-range phones are back to 8GB as the core spec, and 12GB is becoming the norm on flagships instead of 16GB.

Consoles

The PS5, Xbox Series X and Switch 2 all went up in 2026, and Microsoft said console memory and storage costs had risen more than 2.5 times. See why console prices are going up for every Canadian price change.

When will RAM prices go down?

Not in 2026, and probably not in 2027. The increases are slowing: TrendForce's forecast for late 2026 is +10% to 15% a quarter, down from almost +100% in early 2026. But slower increases still mean higher prices. TrendForce expects DRAM supply to stay tight in 2027, and PC memory supply could even shrink as more capacity moves to servers. Microsoft expects memory costs to double again by fall 2027.

Prices usually ease once new factories come online and AI buying slows. Neither looks likely before 2027 ends.

Why refurbished makes more sense during a RAM shortage

A refurbished phone or laptop already has its memory. Nobody has to buy new chips at today's prices to make it. That is why demand for pre-owned devices is rising: Assurant reports that interest in certified pre-owned phones rose from 17% of consumers in 2024 to 25% in 2026, and cites a Counterpoint forecast of about 11% growth in refurbished phone sales in 2026 while new phone shipments fall.

How much RAM do you actually need?

General guidance for 2026 apps. RAM on phones, MacBooks and most laptops is soldered in, so it cannot be added later.

Questions people ask

Ready to upgrade? Shop refurbished MacBooks, unlocked phones or consoles. Selling an old phone? See what your iPhone is worth or what your Samsung is worth.