Samsung Warns Memory Chip Shortage Could Keep Tech Prices High Until 2028
Consumers hoping for cheaper laptops, smartphones, and other electronics may have to wait several more years. During its second-quarter earnings call, Samsung said the ongoing global memory chip shortage is expected to continue through 2028, driven largely by surging demand from the artificial intelligence industry.
The company believes the imbalance between supply and demand will remain tight as AI infrastructure continues to expand worldwide.
AI Boom Continues to Drive Memory Demand
Samsung says the rapid adoption of agentic AI and increasingly powerful AI models has dramatically increased demand for high-performance memory chips.
According to the company, the growth of:
- AI servers
- Cloud computing infrastructure
- Large language models
- Data centers
has placed sustained pressure on global memory supplies, leaving manufacturers struggling to meet demand.
Samsung also noted that many AI companies are seeking long-term supply agreements to secure future access to memory components.
Supply Constraints Expected to Worsen
Samsung expects the current shortage to persist for several years.
The company said:
- Demand that cannot be fulfilled in 2026 is likely to carry over into 2027.
- Supply constraints are expected to become even tighter in 2027.
- The memory shortage is likely to continue through 2028.
Samsung added that it has limited visibility beyond 2028, making longer-term forecasts difficult.
Impact on Consumer Electronics
The ongoing shortage is affecting far more than AI hardware.
Memory chips are essential components in products such as:
- Smartphones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Desktop computers
- Wearable devices
As manufacturers pay more for memory, those increased costs can eventually be reflected in retail pricing.
Samsung acknowledged that demand for AI servers is also contributing to higher costs for memory used in mobile devices.
Higher Prices Already Appearing
Although Samsung did not explicitly announce future price increases, some of its newest products already carry higher price tags than previous generations.
The company is also relying on upcoming premium devices—including the Galaxy S26 lineup, Galaxy Tab S12 foldable series, and Watch Ultra 2—to help drive future revenue.
The broader industry has already begun adjusting prices in response to higher component costs, with companies such as Apple and Microsoft increasing prices on selected products.
No Immediate Relief in Sight
Samsung’s outlook suggests that strong AI investment will continue to dominate the memory market for the foreseeable future.
Unless manufacturing capacity expands significantly or demand slows, consumers may continue to face elevated prices for PCs, smartphones, and other technology products as memory remains one of the industry’s most constrained components through at least 2028.
