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The worldwide shortage of DRAM memory - essential for PCs, phones, and gaming gear - continues into late 2025 and is expected to last beyond 2026 as manufacturers prioritize high-bandwidth memory for AI data centers over consumer products. This has caused RAM prices to surge dramatically, prompting warnings from PC builders and some vendors offering pre-built systems without memory so customers can add their own. Industry projections suggest that average PC prices could rise by up to 8 % in 2026 due to these constraints, and smartphone prices may climb as well because memory cost is a key factor in device pricing. The current shortage is tied to a structural shift where production capacity has been redirected toward AI infrastructure, limiting availability for everyday hardware. Tom’s Hardware+1
